Taxi driver allowed to keep poppy graphics
A taxi driver from St Helens was ordered by the local council to remove poppy graphics from his vehicle, claiming the stickers were in breach of the licensing policy.
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2018 09:49 GMT
The council originally told Brady he had to remove the graphics by November 19th
In a post shared on Facebook, local taxi driver Gerry Brady shared the letter he received from St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council (SHMBC), which stated that the “unauthorised poppy signage” needed to be removed immediately.
Brady shared his response email, in which he asked the council to specify which part of the taxi licensing policy had been breached that triggered the vehicle defect notice.
Brady has since been granted retrospective consent to display the poppies until November 30th. He writes in a new post: “They [SHMBC] have agreed to enter into discussion to iron out some of the ambiguous policies so that is clearer for all to understand… I am pleased with the outcome the defect notice has been withdrawn.”
The council recognises that from time to time, events of national significance will take place and as such the council’s taxi licensing policy is written to allow for such occasions”
The taxi driver argued that the vehicle graphics, which displays a group of poppies around the taxi company name, could not be considered commercial advertising.
A council spokesman told St Helens Star that the content of the graphics did not relate to the reasoning behind the order: “The council recognises that from time to time, events of national significance will take place and as such the council’s taxi licensing policy is written to allow for such occasions.
“There is a simple application process for drivers wishing to display signage on their vehicles which in this case, the licence holder failed to do. St Helens Council is fully supportive of the Armed Forces.”
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