GOT A TAXI ISSUE , TALK ABOUT IT HERE!
The UK Government recognises the continued impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on the self-employed and has taken action to provide support.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension provides critical support to the self-employed in the form of 2 further grants, each available for 3 month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.
I know I cringe when I here the phrase “these uncertain times” or a similar phrase, but what also makes me cringe is the fear that despite the fact most of us in the Taxi or Private Hire business are facing a very uncertain future, with little promise of any light at the end of the tunnel for a good year or more, and just grateful to be able to pay the bills and buy food – the fear that the council will still push ahead with expensive policies (expensive for us that is) when we can least afford any drastic changes due to the current crisis, especially when forward planning is financially impossible for the foreseeable future.
I have previously emphasised the TINY contribution toward diesel pollution the licensed vehicle trade makes, based on the actual figures provided by one of the council officers, where we are only 0.47% of the problem! So making changes in the licensed vehicle trade alone will do pretty much nothing toward the pollution problem, it will just be political window dressing.
Furthermore, the recent consultation with the trade over Vehicle Specification & Age was done pre-COVID, so as the landscape has changed so dramatically, is it now out-of-date and irrelevant?
If we are to see an age limit introduced (for Restormel re-introduced), I think a max age of 12 years, with 10 years on first application would be a much more manageable option. This would see all new vehicle applications meeting the EURO 6 standard by 2025, so still proactive, but more sympathetic to the current problems we face.
As for EVs, it should just be left to take it’s natural course for the future, and we will adopt whatever the future is in due course.
Don’t forget the 3rd SEISS grant from the 30th November! Apply here
On the 24th July at the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting held virtually, The Committee agreed to grant Private Hire Vehicle Licences for the use of the proposed ZBee Tuk-Tuks.
During debate the following points were noted:-
1. Concern was expressed about safety and the tuk-tuks using B roads
with national speed limits; however it was also noted that cyclists,
horse-riders also used these roads;
2. It was a forward thinking and innovative application;
3. Concern about carrying surfboards on the vehicle; although it was
noted that this would not happen initially;
4. It was acknowledged that the application was for private hire vehicles
so they could only be pre-booked;
5. There was a general consensus that there should be doors, although a
handrail was also suggested as an option.
It was resolved that the application for the use of ZBee electric tuk-tuks as Private Hire Vehicles be granted subject to the following:
– The satisfactory testing of the vehicles.
– The Cornwall Council Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions being
amended in accordance with those Conditions set out at Appendix 7 of
the report and attached to the licences as conditions of licence. For the
avoidance of doubt where the amended Conditions conflict with any
existing Conditions the amended Conditions will apply.
– That a further Condition be added to require doors to be fitted to the
vehicles. Members felt that this was reasonable and necessary for the
safety and comfort of passengers so that the sides of the vehicles are
not open and exposed.
Members noted that the vehicles did not meet the Councils specification or
Conditions regarding Private Hire vehicles currently in place. However, Members noted that the nature of the vehicle was different to a normal
vehicle licensed by them. Members considered the application, the
representations from the applicants and the paperwork supplied as part of the application. Taking all the information into account Members felt that the vehicles were suitable to be licensed as Private Hire Vehicles in line with the application taking into account their size, design, mechanical condition and that the vehicles appeared to be both safe and comfortable.
As of Monday 4th May 2020, you can now check to see if you are eligible for the self-employed assistance grant form HMRC based on your last three years trading profits.
The grant will give you three months of your average profits over the last three years (2016/17+2017/18+2018/19 divided by three – then 3/12’s at 80% – apparently). To check if you are eligible and enter your contact details for when you can claim, click here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme#eligible – you will need your Government Gateway login details and N.I number as well. Good luck!
On Friday 28th February 2020 an application was heard by the MLC for two additional Hackney Vehicle Licences for the Restormel Zone, to be operated on new electric Tuk Tuk’s. The proposed operation described was actually more akin to a bus service, which would be undertaken in these new 2 passenger electric 3 wheelers with a luggage space of 1 cubic metre, a range of 49 miles between charges, and a top speed of 27.9 mph!
The MLC ruled to refuse the application on the results of the recent unmet demand survey alone. For more details click here…