No To the Bike Parking Tax

Following a spate of concerned emails we have received following an email sent regarding our Trade Support Scheme, it has come to our attention that an early, unapproved (an definitely tongue-in-cheek) version of the email has been mistakenly sent to which we can only offer our sincerest apologies.

Below is the version that should have been received, and whilst we do feel strongly about what would appear to be a lack of direct action against this tax from the Trade, it has never been our intention to bad-mouth or disparage those who cannot assist financially, more to promote those willing or able to help.

Once again, many apologies to those who quite rightly expressed disgust at what can easy be viewed as a veiled threat, and we hope that you will heed our call to assist in a far more positive light.

Yours
Warren Djanogly
Chairman of the No To the Bike Parking Tax Campaign

Westminster City Council have introduced the most serious pieces of anti-riding legislation anywhere in the world, borough-wide charging for motorcycle/scooter parking, and only our campaigning against this tax has been thwarting WCC’s plans to enlist other, more cash-strapped boroughs to sign up to this scheme – SO FAR!

After numerous demonstrations and appeals to the democratic apparatus of the council, it is clear that Westminster is not listening and we are taking them to court. However, to see the job through – bearing in mind the quality of the legal expertise required – we estimate that we need to raise £50,000. This sounds a lot but pales in comparison to the £93,000,000 that will be taken from riders should this spread nationwide. (Figures from the Taxpayer’s Alliance).

We at NTBPT have launched this Trade Support Scheme whereby you can donate at various levels, in return for a "Certificates" of recognition that can be displayed to customers. Furthermore, the NTBPT Campaign will encourage its 7,500 subscribed supporters to spend their hard-earned cash where they see these Certificates. We feel confident that the more commercially-astute amongst you will no doubt see the marketing opportunities that this scheme can offer.

With the numerous mentions of the campaign’s activities in the media, this could be an excellent opportunity. Local businesses have already taken advantage of this marketing opportunity as well as national businesses such as MCE, Devitt, Hein Gericke, R.A.P Superbikes, R.AGIUS (Scooters) LTD and Infinity Motorcycles.

Price structure and benefits.

• Bronze – Cost £100 – £249 – Level 3 listing on our "Trade supporters" listing
• Silver – Cost £250 – £499 – Level 2 listing on our "Trade supporters" listing
• Gold – Cost £500 – £749 – Level 1 listing on our "Trade supporters" listing
• Platinum – Cost £750 – £999 – Level 1 listing on our "Trade supporters" listing plus hyper-link on our website
• Diamond – Cost £1,000* – Level 1 listing on our "Trade supporters" listing plus hyper-link on our website plus mentions in all email dispatches.

*Diamond sponsors will be contacted to discuss additional marketing opportunities that we will be happy to facilitate.

Our supporters, your customers, will be able to see who is behind them by visiting the trade supporters page at http://notobikeparkingtax.com/trade-support/

Furthermore, should any one Company wish to sponsor the whole NTBPT Website, ie. have the Campaign named in association with that Company, this can be secured with a one-off £40,000 and with the obvious mass-media attention such a Court case will attract, the marketing opportunity cannot be understated.

Of course, the advantage of a legal challenge is that should we be awarded costs, you may get a substantial chunk of your donation back. If, for some reason, we cannot proceed with the legal challenge, you will also receive a substantial chunk of your donation back. Any donations not returned will be donated to the Air Ambulance Trust.

To contribute as a business and get involved with the campaign, please e-mail [email protected]

Westminster City Council have introduced the most serious pieces of anti-riding legislation anywhere in the world, borough-wide charging for motorcycle/scooter parking, and only our campaigning against this tax has been thwarting WCC’s plans to enlist other, more cash-strapped boroughs to sign up to this scheme – SO FAR!

After numerous demonstrations and appeals to the democratic apparatus of the council, it is clear that Westminster is not listening and we are taking them to court. However, to see the job through – bearing in mind the quality of the legal expertise required – we estimate that we need to raise £50,000. This sounds a lot but pales in comparison to the £93,000,000 that will be taken from bikers should this spread nationwide. (Figures from the Taxpayer’s Alliance).

We at NTBPT have launched this Trade Support Scheme whereby you can donate at various levels, in return for a "Certificates" of recognition that can be displayed to customers. Furthermore, the NTBPT Campaign will encourage its 7,500 subscribed supporters to ONLY spend their hard-earned cash where they see these Certificates. We feel confident that the more commercially-astute amongst you will no doubt see the marketing opportunities that this scheme can offer, whilst the more unscrupulous may soon discover what customer-loyalty truly means…

With the numerous mentions of the campaign’s activities in the media, this could be an excellent opportunity. Local businesses have already taken advantage of this marketing opportunity as well as national businesses such as MCE, Devitt, Hein Gericke, and Infinity Motorcycles.

Price structure and benefits.

• Bronze – Cost £100 – £249 – Level 3 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Silver – Cost £250 – £499 – Level 2 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Gold – Cost £500 – £749 – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Platinum – Cost £750 – £999 – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing plus hyperlink on our website
• Diamond* – Cost £1,000* – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing plus hyperlink on our website plus mentions in all dispatches

* Diamond sponsors will be contacted to discuss additional marketing opportunities that we will be happy to facilitate.

Our supporters, your customers, will be able to see who is behind them and who isn’t by visiting the trade supporters page at http://notobikeparkingtax.com/trade-support/

Furthermore, should any one Company wish to sponsor the whole NTBPT Website, ie. have the Campaign named in association with that Company, this can be secured with a one-off £40,000 and with the obvious mass-media attention such a Court case will attract, the marketing opportunity cannot be understated.

Of course, the advantage of a legal challenge is that should we be awarded costs, you may get a substantial chunk of your donation back. If, for some reason, we cannot proceed with the legal challenge, you will also receive a substantial chunk of your donation back. Any donations not returned will be donated to the Air Ambulance Trust.

NB – unfortunately, we cannot wait indefinitely for replies, therefore, only 2 additional reminders will be sent, after which we will have no alternative other than to view your company as non-caring and move it accordingly.

To contribute as a business, please e-mail donations@notobikeparkingtax.com.

Regards,

Warren Djanogly on behalf of the No To the Bike Parking Tax Campaign

Westminster City Council have introduced the most serious pieces of anti-riding legislation anywhere in the world, borough-wide charging for motorcycle/scooter parking, and only our campaigning against this tax has been thwarting WCC’s plans to enlist other, more cash-strapped boroughs to sign up to this scheme – SO FAR!

After numerous demonstrations and appeals to the democratic apparatus of the council, it is clear that Westminster is not listening and we are taking them to court. However, to see the job through – bearing in mind the quality of the legal expertise required – we estimate that we need to raise £50,000. This sounds a lot but pales in comparison to the £93,000,000 that will be taken from bikers should this spread nationwide. (Figures from the Taxpayer’s Alliance).

We at NTBPT have launched this Trade Support Scheme whereby you can donate at various levels, in return for a "Certificates" of recognition that can be displayed to customers. Furthermore, the NTBPT Campaign will encourage its 7,500 subscribed supporters to ONLY spend their hard-earned cash where they see these Certificates. We feel confident that the more commercially-astute amongst you will no doubt see the marketing opportunities that this scheme can offer, whilst the more unscrupulous may soon discover what customer-loyalty truly means…

With the numerous mentions of the campaign’s activities in the media, this could be an excellent opportunity. Local businesses have already taken advantage of this marketing opportunity as well as national businesses such as MCE, Devitt, Hein Gericke, and Infinity Motorcycles.

Price structure and benefits.

• Bronze – Cost £100 – £249 – Level 3 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Silver – Cost £250 – £499 – Level 2 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Gold – Cost £500 – £749 – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing
• Platinum – Cost £750 – £999 – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing plus hyperlink on our website
• Diamond* – Cost £1,000* – Level 1 listing on our "Cares about its customers" listing plus hyperlink on our website plus mentions in all dispatches

* Diamond sponsors will be contacted to discuss additional marketing opportunities that we will be happy to facilitate.

Our supporters, your customers, will be able to see who is behind them and who isn’t by visiting the trade supporters page at http://notobikeparkingtax.com/trade-support/

Furthermore, should any one Company wish to sponsor the whole NTBPT Website, ie. have the Campaign named in association with that Company, this can be secured with a one-off £40,000 and with the obvious mass-media attention such a Court case will attract, the marketing opportunity cannot be understated.

Of course, the advantage of a legal challenge is that should we be awarded costs, you may get a substantial chunk of your donation back. If, for some reason, we cannot proceed with the legal challenge, you will also receive a substantial chunk of your donation back. Any donations not returned will be donated to the Air Ambulance Trust.

NB – unfortunately, we cannot wait indefinitely for replies, therefore, only 2 additional reminders will be sent, after which we will have no alternative other than to view your company as non-caring and move it accordingly.

To contribute as a business, please e-mail donations@notobikeparkingtax.com.

Regards,

Warren Djanogly on behalf of the No To the Bike Parking Tax Campaign

In this email:

• Welcome! / Next demo details. / The legal fund. / Trade support scheme. / Other stuff…

A big welcome to the huge number of new members who have subscribed to our campaign since our last mass-mail.

Before updating you on the campaign progress, we were alerted to problems many of you had accessing our website due to a glitch regarding the IP address for the rebuild. This has now hopefully been resolved, but should any of you have problems, please email admin@notobikeparkingfees.com immediately.

Our next demo.

Planned for Sunday 16th August 2009, and will be riddled with symbolism:-

1. Its the last day before Cllr Danny Chalkley makes his tax "permanent" (until the Court tells him otherwise!!)
2. We will be SERVING a mock-up of the High Court Summons, which we want you all to come and sign.
3. We will definitely be having a picnic at which we love to include (cost permitting) a "Pig-on-a-spit" roast for you all to have a slice…guess who we would name the pig after!!!

Arrangements so far include a pre-demo breakfast meeting at Ace Cafe which we leave at 11am and head for the main meeting point of Golden Square by 12 noon. Following speeches, there will be a ride-out to Victoria Street to deliver, and thus serve on them a gigantic mock-up of the Court paper which will have room for all to sign.

Fliers are available to download direct here and here, or from the website downloads page here, so please help spread the word. Ideally, you will pass this message on via your mail-box to your friends, or by using this convenient "forward to a friend" link.

In our last message, we included a recording by a freelance journo wherein WCC’s Kieran Fitsall had to temerity to suggest that support for our campaign is waning. It down to you guys to ensure that this demo is hugely supported by spreading the word.

The Legal Fund

Following our call to donate to the legal fighting fund, we are delighted to announce that we are (at time of writing) just short of £15,000 (A live running total of donations and donor names so far are available on our website at all times). However, with many of you guys donating over the £10 per head requested, this total has been amassed by less than 10% of our Subscribed Supporters. Therefore, this is another call to those of you yet to donate. It’s the equivalent of a tank of fuel each, and yet if we don’t hit the £50,000 and WCC take this nationally, we will all be divvying up a staggering £93,000,000 annually (source: Tax Payers Alliance). Donate on-line here and see others who have donated, plus more details.

Trade Support Scheme

To assist the legal fund, we have set up a Trade Support Scheme which we need your involvement. We are offering as many in the motorcycle/scooter industry we can approach to show you, their customers, that they support your plight. By allowing them to donate at various levels between £100 and £1,000, we will issue them Certificates for them to display at their premises or on their letterhead.

For this to be effective, we need your involvement on three levels:-

1. To supply us with the name, and an email address of all YOUR local traders by using the simple form here on our website, OR conversely, you can download a version of the email/letter that we are sending, and take it yourself.
2. To approach the ones you know that we have contacted, and ask why they haven’t donated.
3. NOT to spend your cash at any merchant/mechanic that DOESN’T have one of our certificates.

Other stuff…

For those of you following the legal case, we have now instructed Barrister Oliver Mischon to prepare Counsel’s advice which we hope to publish before the demo.

Also, we are delighted to announce that we have been donated a stand at this year’s Bulldog Bash 2009, and will be there on Saturday 8th August – so come and say hello and help spread the word to over 10,000 fellow riders.

Otherwise, see you on Sunday, 16th August at either Ace Cafe or Golden Square <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>.

No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee.

Campaign Videos – Campaign Photos – Facebook Group – Twitter 1 – Twitter 2 – Alternative Forum – Alternative News

In this email:

• Thank you for objecting!
• Formation of a legal challenge and donations to fighting fund.
• Video report form 1st July demo "Objection Wednesday" plus press coverage.
• Audio report by freelance journalist ordered removed by Westminster Council.

Thank you for objecting!

Many thanks for transmitting your official objection through our website. It is crucial that Westminster Council understand how many people are against this tax, and more importantly, the precedent Westminster could be setting to which other Councils could adopt.

However, by sending your objection via our website, chances are you were unable to join us at the objection hand-in at Golden Sq/City Hall on Wed 1st July, where I announced the launching of a legal-fundraiser and why we need money now.

The time has come, a legal challenge is formed, we need your donation to the fighting fund.

There are only two ways to legitimately quash a Local Government scheme such as this motorcycle/scooter parking tax. By Act of Parliament, or via the High Court. Cllr Chalkley’s [Spear head of the scheme] decision to make the scheme permanent has opened a window [The law] for us to launch a full legal challenge via Judicial Review, for which we have to raise a minimum of £50,000 due to the need for a highly competent Public Law specialist legal team.

The alternative of doing nothing, as many of you already are aware, is that a host of other councils and authorities less-financially well-off as Westminster, will start to sign up to a version of the scheme. Our supporters the Tax Payers Alliance have calculated that, if they roll this bike tax out nationally, the motorcycle/scooter community will be laying out a staggering £93,000,000 per annum…

…However, having submitted a Letter Before Action, and finally received a response from Westminster City Council, we are very confident that we will not only smash this whole scheme, but could have serious implication for the whole pay-by-phone contract currently awarded to Verrus UK Ltd, a Canadian-owned company.

But for us to achieve this, we must now turn to you, the motorcycling/scootering community. Quite simply, if we don’t hit them in this window [The law], then we will have little "legal" opportunity thereafter. So my message to you is simple…

…either we all club together to raise the £50,000 now (which would be the equivalent of one tank of fuel or £10 from 5,000 of you), or we will all be continually chipping in to a £93,000,000 annual bill.

But wait, as this fund is purely for a legal challenge, when we win, we will be entitled to costs. So, even if you find £10 a hard amount to donate, there’s the real possibility that you could be getting it back. Again, quite simply, the more we raise now = the better quality of legal expertise we can instruct = the better chance of winning = the greatest chance of getting our money back!!!

But what if we lose? I hear you ask. Well, you will lose your donation. However, as it is me Warren Djanogly putting my name to this in person, I am risking bankruptcy due to what will be a highly punitive costs order. I am willing to take that chance on behalf of you my fellow riders, if only to show you how confident I am that we will prevail. All I ask in return is this…

My fellow riders, the choice is yours. £50,000 now & once only OR £93,000,000 each and every year thereafter.

Details of how to donate your £10 (or whatever you feel or the cost of a tank of fuel) are at the link below:

On another note! Watch the latest video report from the 1st July demo!

Our man in the studio has created another masterpiece!

And also if you want to view photos from the 1st July demo, view those here.

Lots of press coverage from the 1st July demo.

We were also live on BBC London radio (Listen Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) LBC Radio (Listen to LBC coverage), Mentioned in the news sections of Capital Radio, Magic FM and Smooth FM and also live on Absolute Radio [Listen Absolute live coverage] during the demo, so lots of media coverage of the 1st July demo.

Westminster Council parking department up to their dirty tricks again! We recommend you read this article.

Please read this article and listen to the audio report by the freelance journalist, it explains the type of people we are facing.

Thanks for the continued support, together we can win this battle!

No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee

Campaign Videos – Campaign Photos – Facebook Group – Twitter 1 – Twitter 2 – Alternative Forum – Alternative News

In this email:

• Formation of a legal challenge and donations to fighting fund.
• Video report form 1st July demo "Objection Wednesday" plus press coverage.
• Audio report by freelance journalist ordered removed by Westminster Council.

The time has come, a legal challenge is formed, we need your donation to the fighting fund.

There are only two ways to legitimately quash a Local Government scheme such as this motorcycle/scooter parking tax. By Act of Parliament, or via the High Court. Cllr Chalkley’s [Spear head of the scheme] decision to make the scheme permanent has opened a window [The law] for us to launch a full legal challenge via Judicial Review, for which we have to raise a minimum of £50,000 due to the need for a highly competent Public Law specialist legal team.

The alternative of doing nothing, as many of you already are aware, is that a host of other councils and authorities less-financially well-off as Westminster, will start to sign up to a version of the scheme. Our supporters the Tax Payers Alliance have calculated that, if they roll this bike tax out nationally, the motorcycle/scooter community will be laying out a staggering £93,000,000 per annum…

…However, having submitted a Letter Before Action, and finally received a response from Westminster City Council, we are very confident that we will not only smash this whole scheme, but could have serious implication for the whole pay-by-phone contract currently awarded to Verrus UK Ltd, a Canadian-owned company.

But for us to achieve this, we must now turn to you, the motorcycling/scootering community. Quite simply, if we don’t hit them in this window [The law], then we will have little "legal" opportunity thereafter. So my message to you is simple…

…either we all club together to raise the £50,000 now (which would be the equivalent of one tank of fuel or £10 from 5,000 of you), or we will all be continually chipping in to a £93,000,000 annual bill.

But wait, as this fund is purely for a legal challenge, when we win, we will be entitled to costs. So, even if you find £10 a hard amount to donate, there’s the real possibility that you could be getting it back. Again, quite simply, the more we raise now = the better quality of legal expertise we can instruct = the better chance of winning = the greatest chance of getting our money back!!!

But what if we lose? I hear you ask. Well, you will lose your donation. However, as it is me Warren Djanogly putting my name to this in person, I am risking bankruptcy due to what will be a highly punitive costs order. I am willing to take that chance on behalf of you my fellow riders, if only to show you how confident I am that we will prevail. All I ask in return is this…

My fellow riders, the choice is yours. £50,000 now & once only OR £93,000,000 each and every year thereafter.

Details of how to donate your £10 (or whatever you feel or the cost of a tank of fuel) are at the link below:

On another note! Watch the latest video report from the 1st July demo!

Our man in the studio has created another masterpiece!

And also if you want to view photos from the 1st July demo, view those here.

Lots of press coverage from the 1st July demo.

We were also live on BBC London radio (Listen Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) LBC Radio (Listen to LBC coverage), Mentioned in the news sections of Capital Radio, Magic FM and Smooth FM and also live on Absolute Radio [Listen Absolute live coverage] during the demo, so lots of media coverage of the 1st July demo.

Westminster Council parking department up to their dirty tricks again! We recommend you read this article.

Please read this article and listen to the audio report by the freelance journalist, it explains the type of people we are facing.

Thanks for the continued support, together we can win this battle!

No To the Bike Parking Tax Committee

Campaign Videos – Campaign Photos – Facebook Group – Twitter 1 – Twitter 2 – Alternative Forum – Alternative News

The campaign has already had a live radio interview on BBC London News this morning (we hope to get a copy of that for all to hear soon), Chairman Warren and a few other supporters were up at the crack of dawn for that one, there will also be a national report on More4 News this evening so keep an eye out for that (we will also try to get a copy of that for all to see).

We will also like to inform you that Westminster have told us they will be stamping objection forms this evening as way of receipt, they are expecting us! So we hope to see you there this evening, it is going to be a demo to remember, right under their noses! FOR FULL DEMO DETAILS, MEETING POINTS ETC… CLICK HERE.

And finally for those that absolutely cannot make it this evening, and have yet to object, make sure you get your objection in using the convenient online-objection form, this will be counted as an official objection.

Regards,

No To The Bike Parking Tax Committee

Campaign Videos -  Campaign Photos – Twitter 1 – Twitter 2 – Alternative Forum – Alternative News