Taxi Liaison Group - 17/04/2001

At a MEETING of the LIAISON COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 17th April, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Jill SHIMI	Dave BEATTIE	Andrew DAWSON
Helen WRIGHT		Neil I C POWRIE

Also Present:-

George HARRIS, DTOA	Roger PATERSON, Taxi Offices
David COUTTS, DTOA	Harry LEADINGHAM, Taxi Offices
Graham STEPHEN, DTOA	Larry DUNCAN, Private Hire
Doug MARTIN, TGWU	Mike KELLY, Private Hire
Peter LONGMUIR, TGWU	Tom McINTAGGART, Representing DTOA

Councillor Jill SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

I TAXI LICENCES AND THE WAITING LIST

Report No. 220-2001 was submitted and in this regard the Committee heard Mr McIntaggart on behalf of Dundee Taxi Owners' Association, who spoke regarding the waiting list, the possibility of surrendering existing licences combined with the simultaneous grant of a new licence and the powers open to the Committee to vary existing licences. The Director of Support Services also commented on the report and thereafter there followed a general discussion.

Thereafter, it was agreed that Mr McIntaggart submit his comments in writing and that a further report be prepared.

II DISABILITY AWARENESS COURSE

It was reported that a three year rolling programme would take place at the Mackinnon Centre every second Wednesday afternoon commencing 6th June. There was also the possibility of an occasional evening course being undertaken.

The cost of the course would be included in the renewal of Taxi Drivers' Licences fees due in May 2002. Details of the course would be circulated immediately following this meeting to all taxi offices in the City.

At the request of the Trade, it was agreed that the possibility of levying an additional charge on drivers who do not attend the course on the stipulated day be investigated.

III LICENSING CONDITIONS

(a) TAXI LICENCE

The Liaison Committee agreed to recommend to the Licensing Committee that the conditions attached at Appendix 1 be implemented with effect from the renewal of Taxi Licences on 1st June, 2001.

(b) TAXI DRIVERS

There were submitted draft conditions for taxi drivers and subject to the deletion of the reference to the Fiscal's fine in Condition 20 and clarification of footwear in Condition 21, it was agreed that the Liaison Committee recommend to the Licensing Committee that the conditions annexed at Appendix 2 be implemented as soon as practicable by way of a variation of existing licence conditions.

IV GUIDANCE NOTES ON THE TEST FOR FITNESS OF VEHICLES

The guidance notes which had previously been issued in the year 2000 were amended to take account of the new policy on testing of vehicles. The Liaison Committee noted the change and agreed to recommend to the Licensing Committee that the guidance note be attached to the conditions of taxi licence with effect from 1st June, 2001.

It was also agreed that as regards to painterwork, the existing practice of allowing a discretionary period of seven days for minor defects be attended to be increased to 21 days but that should the vehicle not be resubmitted in a suitable condition after the conclusion of the 21 day period, then a report would be submitted to the Licensing Committee.

V REVIEW OF TAXI FARES

The Dundee Taxi Owners' Association had submitted a request for an increase in the taxi fares and the Planning and Transportation Manager submitted counter proposals. Details of the existing fares structure, the request from the DTOA and the Planning and Transportation Manager's proposals are enclosed at Appendix 3.

After discussion, it was agreed to recommend to the Licensing Committee that the following fares be adopted:-

Current Fares			Recommendation

1.	For the first passenger carried:-
	(a)	for a distance not exceeding 704 yards, an initial charge of 1.80	No change
	(b)	for each additional one tenth of a mile or part thereof, 10p	No change
	(c)	for a period of waiting time not exceeding 45 seconds, an additional charge of 10p	No change
	(d)	for each additional period of waiting time of 45 seconds or part thereof, 10p	No change

2.	For each passenger conveyed in excess of the first, a charge of 10p		20p

3.	Luggage:-
	(a)	for each bicycle, child's carriage or perambulator, 10p; and	No change
	(b)	for each package carried in the luggage compartment, boot or rack, 10p (loose groceries exempt)	No change

4.	For each hire commencing between 11 pm and 6 am, a charge of 50p		11 pm amended to 10 pm

5.	For each hire from 6 pm on 24th December until 6 am on 27th December and from 6 pm on 31st December until 6 am on 3rd January, an additional charge of 1		No change

VI DISTRIBUTION OF LIAISON COMMITTEE MINUTES

It was agreed that in future the minute of the Liaison Committee be circulated to those in attendance immediately following its submission to the Licensing Committee.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.

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