TAXI NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE COUNCIL HOUSE
Forthcoming changes to working practices !
Changes are being made to the way in which the Council receives
and deals with members of the public at the Council Offices in
Burcot Lane. With effect from the 1st October, day-to-day
enquires relating to all licensing matters, including taxis, will
have to be made at the Customer Service Centre, School Drive,
Bromsgrove. You will still be able to telephone the Licensing
Section in the normal way on (01527) 881405 or post your completed
application forms, including supporting documentation to the
Council House.
The Licensing Section will still continue to process your
application and your Vehicle Licence Plates or Badge will be posted
out to you or made available for collection at the Customer Service
Centre.
Each Customer Service Advisor has received the necessary
training in how to deal with receiving your vehicle or badge
application. You will still need to book your vehicle in for
its vehicle test by telephoning the Licensing Section. You
will also still be reminded to renew your licence/badge/motor
insurance in the usual way.
Should you wish to deal in person with an Officer from the
Licensing Section, ‘drop-in’ surgeries will operate at the Customer
Services Centre, School Lane, Bromsgrove. It is intended that
the surgeries will be held at the same time(s) and day(s) each
week.
The licensing surgeries will operate as
follows:
Tuesday1.30 pm to 2.30 pm
Wednesday9.30 am to 10.30am
Friday9.30 am to 10.30 am
In order to minimise the length of time taken to see a Customer
Service Advisor, I suggest that you avoid the peak times of between
11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. The normal opening times of the
Service Centre are as follows:
Monday to Wednesday:-9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday:-10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Friday:-9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday:-9.00 a.m. to 12 noon.
HACKNEY CARRIAGE METERS
Just a reminder that you should have arranged to have your
meters re-calibrated to the new rates as set out in Section (i) of
the table of Fares by now, which came into effect from 1st
September. Please ensure that your meter is also sealed when
it is calibrated. The seal will be checked when the vehicle
is presented for test and may also be checked at random by the
Licensing Officer.
Once a meter has been fitted, it must remain running whilst the
vehicle is being hired, even if the journey has been pre-booked.
You may wish to note that, if your vehicle was involved in a
road traffic accident whilst hired and the meter was not engaged
your insurance could be void.
MOT Certificates
Having now received confirmation from Depot Services, it is now
possible for driver’s to obtain an ‘official’ MOT certificate at no
extra cost, which will be in addition to the Council’s Certificate
of Compliance.
If your vehicle requires a re-test, any fee payable will be in
accordance with the MOT regulations. The workshop staff will
be able to advise you.
If you do want an ‘official’ MOT certificate, please can you let
us know at the time of booking your vehicle test so that we can
inform the workshop.
There are a number of other requirements that the Depot staff
have asked if we could bring to your attention:
Please park you vehicle in a designated MOT bay at the Depot
and report to the Depot Garage Reception at least 5 minutes before
the appointment time;
Hi-vis jackets must be warn whilst you are at the Depot – these
are available from the Deport Garage Reception;
Smoking is NOT permitted in the Depot yard.
Please can Drivers be reminded that they MUST
NOT smoke whilst in their vehicle. A number of
Drivers recently have been spotted doing just that.
Any damage to a licensed vehicle must be reported to the
Licensing Section within 72 hours of the accident happening.
Please can we remind all Hackney Carriage Owners who use the Bus
Station Rank to ensure that all accesses to properties adjacent to
the Rank are kept clear.
Seeking your comments……..
You should have all by now received your copy of the Council’s
proposed taxi handbook, please take time to read through it and let
me have your views, after all, any changes will affect you and your
licensed vehicle.