Licensing Committee (Driver Consultation) – 10th March 17

Two members of the trade attended this meeting, Chairman of the Falmouth Association, and myself (S Witchell) Secretary of Newquay Association. A letter from Cllr Geoff Brown was read out, then both members of the trade were given 3 minutes to speak their case before the committee decided on the issues, putting forward the arguments of raised costs with no direct benefit. I am pleased to report that thanks to our efforts (meeting with Geoff Brown in February) and further responses, the committee concluded to NOT introduce the proposed additional knowledge test and driver assessment, and further concluded to remove the existing tests from the driver application process in Kerrier & Caradon Zones! So all being well, the additional test issue is dead.

However, they also ruled that there would be more focus on the conditions attached to a driver licence, and that at the point of renewal, the applicant would be required to specifically sign a copy of the conditions to ensure they are understood, with the possibility of the Council providing a short video on requirements that would need to be watched, but this is a matter for future debate.

The proposed additions and amendments to the conditions were also approved by the committee.

Association Membership

Great News – people are showing their support & Joining! The Newquay Taxi & Private Hire Drivers Association are now actively seeking membership from all Hackney Carriage Proprietors. Once enough members have joined, benefits could include affiliation to one of the National Taxi Associations just for starters. Join the association and give it your support now! Read more…

Knowledge Test? Driving Test??

Do you know the council is looking to implement a knowledge test in Cornwall (all of Cornwall or just on a zone basis?) – who pays for it?


Do you know that the Council is looking at implementing a ‘Driving assessment’? Who is going to judge you? Who is going to pay for it?

What’s it gonna be, £70 for each test? That’s an extra £140 more for your license!?
GET INVOLVED NOW!

Shortening of Fore Street Rank!!!

The current proposals on the table for the review of parking in Newquay “may also mean a proposed change to the existing rank in Fore Street in order to accommodate a loading area for businesses. It is proposed that the northern rank (which operates 9.30pm to 6am) is changed to a shared taxi rank/limited waiting bay, with a loading bay at its north end (10m to reduce rank by 2 spaces, but operational daytime only). This will mean a possible reduction of 2 spaces on this night-time rank“!!!!!!!

You know as well as I do that we will end up with vans etc., parking there overnight, and no one will do anything about it!!! Why not change the bus waiting bay on the other side by the car park to a shared use loading bay instead, it’s hardly ever used?

DBS (CRB) Application & Update Service

The Council are advising us that the DBS service write to you and offer you the update service (£13 a year as opposed to £60 every 3 years). This is not the case, or at least I can never find it and missed it last time. In order to join the update service, you have to do it yourself the moment you get your application reference, or when you get your CRB certificate.

In order to join the update service go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service and follow the instructions – make sure you have your certificate with you. 🙂