Call Sign December 2008 - Page 4 - REFLECTIONS OF THE CHAIRMAN

End of Year Audit
As most of you are aware, our Financial Year concluded at the end of August. Since then we have had a team of Auditors here to verify our figures - which they have done - and as a result we are now in the process of producing our End of Year Report. You will all receive a copy of this early in the New Year, along with the remainder of your AGM papers.
   The previous year’s figures (ending August 2007) was a record and the best year in regards of turnover that this Society had ever experienced in fifty five years of trading. Consequently, we are comparing this year’s results against figures that were attained during that best-ever year! Nevertheless we have not done too badly with turnover down less than £500k and when that is compared to a total turnover of around £50million, then under the circumstances and the terrific downturn in the global economy, we have not fared too badly. The fall in our turnover, when expressed in percentage terms, equates to less than 1%.
   However, I do not expect the above trend to continue and I believe turnover will fall considerably more during the current financial year. While we have budgeted for a 20% fall in turnover, even that could be a little optimistic. I just hope that I have got it wrong because nothing would give me greater pleasure than to say I made a mistake with my forecast and we experienced nothing like that 20% drop in turnover!
   As a Society, we can draw comfort that we do not have any debt to service and with the current economic climate as it is, that is an enviable position to be in. In addition, the fact that we have built a ‘war chest’ over the past few years when times were better, will stand us in good stead to weather the economic storm that we are currently experiencing and will continue to experience, certainly for the short term at least.
   I know the above will not help you as individuals, but hopefully it will bring some comfort knowing

that your Society has beenmanaged better than some others in our industry.

Yellow badges in London?
There is an article elsewhere in the magazine concerning one of our members and his annoyance regarding suburban yellow badge drivers encroaching on the territory that should be serviced by green badge drivers. I can understand his frustration, as indeed all members reading it will identify with him because you are all green badge drivers. We do not have yellow badge drivers as members or indeed journeymen on DaC.
   Since becoming Chairman twelve years ago, I can safely say that to my knowledge we have only had one yellow badge driver on Dial-a-Cab and he slipped through the net. As soon as it was brought to our attention - incidentally by another member - he was asked to strip out, which of course he did. As we do not have yellow badge drivers on Dial-a-Cab, nor do we intend to do so, I would like to make it quite clear that none of the article in the current issue of Call Sign refers to, or indeed relates to Dial-a-Cab.
   I do have meetings on a reasonably regular basis with the PCO and would like to make it clear that the situation regarding yellow badge drivers picking up in town has never been discussed, as I was not aware that it was a major problem. Obviously other radio circuits did, as it had been brought to their attention and not mine. After all my years in the trade I always knew the above scenario existed, but it is something we have always lived with, although of course that doesn’t make it right.
   It wasn’t too long ago that the PCO experimented with ‘island

ranks’ where yellow badge drivers were allowed to move closer to town in an attempt to service areas that were neglected or poorly serviced by green badge drivers. How times change in an economic downturn where most people are, quite rightly, only interested in their own economic survival!
I will raise this issue on my next visit to the PCO and hopefully go some way to having the situation remedied, as it does not do anyone any favours by having suburban drivers working in town.

Our own problems!
I understand the frustration that the yellow badge scenario causes, but these situations do become more noticeable and annoying as business becomes slower. We’ve had far more complaints in recent times from members concerned about being ‘booked off’ than we have ever had about yellow badges working in town. We have looked at that situation closely and whilst it is not acceptable to be booked off even once, it would appear that it is not happening any more than it did before, the difference now is that it’s quieter and it becomes more annoying than it did in the past as it takes longer to work your way to the top of the zone.

2008 AGM
The AGM will be on 8 February at the Brewery in Chiswell Street - assuming the Editor gets the date right this time! I am pleased to say that the current five elected Board Members are seeking re-election and I am more than happy to nominate them all. The only downside so far as you are concerned, is that I am unopposed as Chairman, consequently, you will have to make do with me for the next two years!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and as it is not going to be a prosperous New Year – a very healthy one.

Brian Rice
Chairman
Dial-a-Cab