**Petition to Ban Cross-Border Hiring in Bath and North East Somerset**

**To: Bath and North East Somerset Council**

We, the undersigned residents and concerned parties, hereby petition the Bath and North East Somerset Council to enact a ban on cross-border hiring within our jurisdiction. This measure is urgently needed to address the growing challenges faced by local hackney and private hire drivers licensed in Bath and North East Somerset. 

**Reasons for this Petition:**

1. **Lack of Enforcement:**
   - The current regulatory framework lacks robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that only drivers licensed by Bath and North East Somerset operate within our area. This loophole has led to an influx of drivers from outside the region, operating without adhering to local standards and regulations.

2. **Impact on Local Drivers:**
   - Cross-border hiring has significantly undermined the earnings of local hackney and private hire drivers. Drivers licensed in Bath and North East Somerset are facing unfair competition from those licensed elsewhere, who often do not have to meet the same stringent criteria and costs associated with local licensing.

3. **Economic Consequences:**
   - The livelihood of our local drivers is at stake. Many have seen their income drop dramatically due to the oversaturation of the market with out-of-area drivers. This situation is unsustainable and is leading to economic hardship for many local families dependent on the private hire and taxi industry.

4. **Safety and Standards:**
   - Allowing cross-border hiring dilutes the quality and safety standards that Bath and North East Somerset residents expect. Local drivers are subjected to rigorous background checks and vehicle inspections, ensuring a high standard of service that cannot be guaranteed with out-of-area drivers.

**We therefore request the Bath and North East Somerset Council to:**

1. Implement a ban on cross-border hiring to protect the livelihood of local hackney and private hire drivers.
2. Strengthen enforcement measures to ensure compliance with local licensing laws.
3. Take immediate action to preserve the integrity and safety of our local transportation services.

By signing this petition, we voice our support for the hardworking hackney and private hire drivers of Bath and North East Somerset and urge the Council to take prompt and decisive action.

Thank you for supporting our local drivers and helping to ensure a fair and sustainable working environment in Bath and North East Somerset.