Published August 1, 2016 at 9:38
The Local Taxi Trade are currently taking industrial action outside the Council’s offices at Futures Park.
Once the Council was made aware, by the press, of the potential industrial action we asked the trade that should they wish to take this course of action we ask that it is peaceful, not personal and they must not cause an obstruction to members of the public or staff from entering the offices.
Council staff are managing the car park and are liaising with the Police as earlier the strike was blocking road access for all customers and staff to the car park.
We recognise the need for safe, healthy, convenient, effective and sustainable hackney carriage and private hire services for the travelling public and that they are an important contribution to the local economy and good of the Borough. Drivers of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are professional drivers and the standards that they operate to should reflect this and ensure public safety. As such this is what our current consultation is based on and we welcome comments from interested stakeholders, such as the local Taxi Trade.
Cllr Steve Hughes, Chair of the Licensing Committee said;
“I would urge members of the taxi trade to formally engage with the consultation. We have had a productive relationship in the past, and it is a shame that they have decided to take this course of action without formally engaging in the process. It is also disappointing that the council found out about this action via the press. Public safety is our main priority, and I hope the trade will use the consultation to make their views and opinions known.”
Clare Birtwistle, Legal Services Manager at Rossendale Council said;
“We are currently in a consultation process on our taxi licensing policies and procedures, as we do with all our policies. The best way to engage with this process would be to provide a formal response. Those wishing to formally engage with the Council, as the Licensing Authority, can do so here.”
Following the consultation, a report will come back to the Licencing Committee, it is there where a decision will be made by the committee taking into account all relevant information from the consultation process.