4 September - Bexley Cabs. An update
Bexley
residents are still keeping their eyes on Bexley Cabs and occasionally send news
of developments. Neighbours say that Mark Campbell, son of deputy council leader
Colin Campbell, has not been seen on the premises for several weeks, some say
since July. However the presence of the office and the cars are said to be
causing problems some of which have been captured on video and distributed to
interested parties. The nearby church has suffered abuse of its car parking
facilities and one person claims to have seen a Bexley Cab picking up a passenger
whilst straddling the pedestrian crossing which adjoins the premises.
Official word comes from Bexley council Planning Department…
Since planning permission for the minicab business was refused, we have been
working closely with relevant agencies operating in Bexley village to monitor
what is happening and what complaints/reports of incidents involving Bexley
Minicabs have been received. This has included the local police, the Safer
Neighbourhood Team and the Highway Authority.
As the attempted appeal against the enforcement notice served by the
Council, dated 26 June 2012, was not validly made, the Planning Inspectorate
have confirmed that this notice has now taken effect.
The Council will continue to monitor the situation and keep records of any complaints
or incidents regarding Bexley Minicabs. If you have specific evidence of any such
incidents please advise us. We will review the Council’s position and any possible
action should it become clear that the situation has changed. Ultimately we must await
the expiry of the period for compliance with the enforcement notice on the 11th February
2013 and monitor whether the requirements of the enforcement notice are complied with.
It is at that stage that a failure to comply with the enforcement notice may be
enforced through prosecution in the Magistrates' Court.
The letter above is an edited version of the original dated 31st August 2012.
On
the face of it that would appear to be a reasonable position for the Planning Officers
to take although why the Enforcement Notice will not expire until next February is not clear. There were
references
to an Enforcement Notice being issued as long ago as last June but I still
cannot find one listed on the council’s website.
The Planning Officers and local residents may be keeping a watchful
eye on an illegal councillor family business, another councillor family
continues to offer support.