LAST-MINUTE talks to prevent a strike will take place next week.

Kirklees Council plans to bring in a penalty points system for taxi drivers which would see them receive points for things like refusing to take a fare; failing to wear a driver’s badge and eating in their taxi.

Any driver who collected 12 points within a year would have their licence reviewed.

The new system would run alongside the penalty points regime which governs all motorists.

But taxi drivers are considering striking over the proposal, which is due to come into force on January 1, 2012.

They believe it is unfair for them to be subject to two penalty points systems.

Representatives of Kirklees cabbies will meet councillors on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to avoid strike action.

Amjad Nadeem of Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association said yesterday: “The final decision will be taken after we’ve met councillors.”

Some 200 private hire and hackney carriage drivers gathered at the Muslim Community Centre at Clare Hill last week to discuss the changes.

A second taxi drivers’ gathering planned this week for Dewsbury has been postponed until after Monday’s meeting with councillors, which is due to take place at 10.30am at Huddersfield Town Hall.

In May, 2009, hundreds of taxi drivers blocked streets around Huddersfield Town Hall in protest at a proposed 62% hike in licence fees.

Kirklees agreed the following month to a 28% increase instead.