East Riding Council - Chairman's Christmas Message 2010

COUNCILLOR DAVID RUDD, EAST RIDING COUNCIL CHAIRMAN has praised community spirit and efforts made to strengthen communities in his Christmas Message to the people of the area:

The festive season brings out people’s kindness, their caring nature, generosity and sense of community spirit. 

Christmas is a time for family gatherings, a time for goodwill and also one to remember those who may be less fortunate than ourselves. 

During my civic year, I have met many people from across the East Riding of Yorkshire and have been overwhelmed by the commitment and contribution they make towards making their local community a better and safer place. 

I would also like us to spare a thought for the families whose loved ones will not be with them at this festive time, and for the servicemen and women who have shown remarkable courage and devotion to duty and who continue to face serious risks and dangers as they carry out their duties. 

Over the last few weeks, the adverse weather conditions have affected many people and it has been a trying time for the emergency services and local councils to ensure that we are kept safe. Credit must also go to the voluntary groups, organisations, businesses and individuals who worked tirelessly to ensure that their services continued to be delivered. 

As family and friends come together and look forward to the New Year, we should find ways of strengthening our own communities for whatever may lie ahead and build on the foundations of success we’ve already achieved. 

I hope that each and every one of you has a happy Christmas and that we can all try to bring that happiness to others and as another door closes another one opens. I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 

From Councillor David Rudd Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council

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Council warns "Beware Bogus Taxi Drivers!"

Party-goers looking forward to Christmas and New Year are being advised to make sure they stay safe at the end of the night. East Riding of Yorkshire Council is warning people to be wary of bogus taxi drivers.

The council hopes that those celebrating by going out will have fun, but advises that planning beforehand can help to keep people safe. Each year during the festive season the council's licensing team receives an increase in reports of bogus vehicles purporting to be legitimate taxi services. 

Anyone who travels by taxi should make sure it is a licensed taxi service or private hire car before they make their journey. Councillor Jane Evison, the council’s portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection, said: 

“The danger to the travelling public is from a small element of unlicensed drivers who either hold no licence or attempt to accept passengers when they are not legally entitled. The council wants everyone to have fun and enjoy the festive season but, above all we want them to get home safely. Getting into an unlicensed vehicle is essentially the same as taking a lift from a stranger. People should remember to stay safe especially if they are under the influence of alcohol.” 

The main things to bear in mind when taking a taxi or private hire ride home, are: 

• Only Hackney carriage cabs can be hailed in the street or on a taxi rank. These cars should carry a plate on the back of the vehicle and display white oval door stickers and have a top light saying "Taxi"
• Private hire vehicles must always be booked in advance and display a plate on the back of the vehicle and there should be a yellow oval sticker on the front passenger car doors of the vehicle with the words – "Pre-Booked Only". 
• All licensed drivers should have an East Riding of Yorkshire Council driver’s identity badge, which should be prominently displayed. Check these details before getting into a taxi. An unlicensed car and driver have not been vetted by the council and may not be insured. 

Other tips to stay safe when out and about this Christmas are: 

• Carry a telephone number of a trusted, licensed taxi or private hire company 
• If possible, book a taxi or minicab in advance. Ask for the driver’s name and for the make and colour of the car 
• Confirm the details with the driver when the vehicle arrives, to ensure it’s the right car. - If you are ordering a taxi from a public place, try not to let anyone overhear the name and address as anyone could pretend to be a taxi 
• If out with friends, make sure everyone has a way of getting home. If someone has had too much to drink, accompany them to their taxi and make sure it is a legitimate vehicle. 
• Sharing a taxi with friends is always a good idea 

Anyone with any concerns about unlawful taxis operating can contact East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s licensing team on (01482) 396297.

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Extend Free Car Parking call

FOLLOWING NEWS that the East Riding Council is to suspend council car parking charges during the three weekends leading up to Christmas, then there has been a call to extend free parking all year round.

The move to suspend charges at council car parks, for the third year running, is set to be approved by the Council's ruling Cabinet meeting on 2nd November, but has been advertised early so that Christmas shoppers in the region are aware of the suspension and can choose to shop in the East Riding and boost the local retail economy. Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of the council, said recently: “For the past two years this initiative has helped to bring shoppers to the East Riding in the run up to Christmas."

However, Andrew Allison, the coordinator of the local Tax Payers Alliance organisation has now urged the council to make the suspension of charges permanent in some car parks: 

"I hope the cabinet will approve the free Christmas parking scheme for the third year in a row. It is essential to bring in as much trade as possible, and this is one of the ways of doing it. I would also urge councillors to look at extending free parking all year round in some of its car parks. For those people who only want to pop into a couple of shops, 15-30 minutes free parking would also help boost trade."

The debate will be followed with interest locally. The Council had indicated that following a review of car parking charges published earlier in the year, that implementation of any new charges in three of Hedon's car parks would be deferred until a decision on building a new 'Park & Ride' facility near the town had been made.

The 'Park and Ride' project did not go ahead, and so new charges might now be expected to be implemented locally in 2012.

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Free Christmas Car Parking Scheme

A FREE CAR PARKING scheme which gives shoppers free parking in the run up to Christmas is set to run again this year. 

For the past two years, those preparing for Christmas by shopping in the East Riding have benefited as the Council suspended parking charges at its car parks during the three weekends leading up to Christmas. At its meeting on Tuesday, 2 November, the council's cabinet is being recommended to approve the scheme to run for the third year in a row. 

Once again this year pay and display machines in the council’s car-parks and on-street parking locations would be clearly marked to let shoppers know there is no charge for these weekends leading up to Christmas. 

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of the council, said: “For the past two years this initiative has helped to bring shoppers to the East Riding in the run up to Christmas. The council is happy to promote schemes like this which have a real and tangible benefit to local businesses.” 

The free parking would apply during every weekend from and including December 4 until December 26. All council car parks would be free from 8am on Saturday until 8am on Monday.

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