Cabbie hit with costs order

Steve Hayes

12 February 2010

FOR cabbie Jeremy Slater-Brown a court ruling upholding the council's refusal to renew his license and hit him with a bill for £4,000 costs is the final insult in a 'ridiculous and pointless' saga.
Last year the Observer reported how Mr Slater-Brown, a cabbie in the district for 15 years, was denied a renewal of his license because he handed his documents in just hours late.
The council's licensing department told him he must seek a new license and because of rules which require cabs to be wheelchair accessible this would have meant shelling out £30,000 for a new cab.
After a lengthy legal wrangle 68-year-old Mr Slater-Brown was finally able to get the council to court.
But at hearing on Thursday (January 28) Rugby magistrates ruled in the council's favour and added insult to injury by slapping him with a bill for costs of £3,800.
The court ruled the council were unable to consider the renewal application because the licence had expired and as such there was no licence to consider.
But Shipston resident, Mr Slater-Brown, said this was nonsensical and inflexible: "It is totally ridiculous. I am absolutely flabbergasted it has gone this far and now, coming towards the end of my career, I am left thousands out of pocket.
"The documents were only late in the first place because of problems I had with the post and to take this attitude is ridiculous.
"I have been a cabbie in the district for 15 years and my vehicle is fully serviced and not very old but they couldn't just be flexible and grant me the renewal.
"Taxis are an integral part of the transport infrastructure in the district, especially for people and it is a pity the council don't work with us as partners instead of this sort of high-handed jobsworthiness - the whole thing is absurd."
Mr Slater-Brown is now having to hire a vehicle with a license to make a living but he is earning far less per mile as a consequence of the additional costs.
Brian Emeney, former chairman of Stratford Taxi Owner's Association, hit out at the ruling and said the council had done all they could to get their 'pound of flesh'.
Licensing manager, Michelle Baird, said she was very satisfied with the ruling.
She said: "It is satisfying to know the district council had acted correctly. However it is very sad that it had to get to this stage as we do give ample time and notice for taxi licence renewals, writing to licence holders eight weeks before the licence expires."

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