Taxi Liaison Group - 27/05/2004

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 27th May, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Taxi Trade Representatives:-

Mr George HARRIS, Tay Taxis

Mr Doug MARTIN, Tay Taxis

Mr Chris ELDER, Transport & General Workers Union

Mr Graeme STEVEN, Dundee Taxi Association

Mr C WESTWOOD, Dundee Taxi Association

Mr Doug INGLIS, Tele/Handy Taxis

Mr T Mooney, Dundee Taxi Association

Mr David YOUNG, 203020 Cab Company

Mr Steve CASHLEY, 505050 Taxis

Tayside Police Representatives:-

Constable Alex SELFRIDGE, Tayside Police

Sergeant John REEKIE, Tayside Police

Dundee City Council Representatives:-

Mr I SHERRIFF, Head of Transportation

Mr S GALLOWAY, Principal General Services Officer

Mr B WOODCOCK, Senior Solicitor

Bailie Mackie in the Chair

I REVISED FARE STRUCTURE

There was submitted a report by the Director of Planning and Transportation on the proposals of the Dundee Taxi Association (DTA) for the revision of the structure of the Fares for Taxis.

The Group gave discussion to the proposals from the DTA as outlined in the report, which amounted to a 5.3% increase in fares, following which the Group agreed that the following be recommended to the Licensing Committee for implementation:-

(i)that the content and proposals of the report as detailed in 6.1 be agreed subject to amendment to 6.1(3)(a) to read for each child's carriage or perambulator and to 6.1(3)(b) to read "or rack including bicycles"; and

(ii)that a charge for the soiling of taxis be included in the fare structure and that taxi drivers'/operators' be given discretion to impose a maximum penalty fee of 50 with the minimum penalty being 25.

The Clerk then outlined the procedures in relation to the advertising of the new fares and indicated that, should there be no objection to the increase, the fares may be implemented from July, 2004.

II FARE CHARGES

There was tabled copy letter received from the taxi trade addressed to Mr Iain Sheriff, Head of Transportation, Dundee City Council on proposed additional items for discussion. Following discussion, the Group noted that a number of the proposals contained had been agreed previously within the report on the review of taxi fares and following consideration of the letter and the remaining proposals, agreed that the following be recommended to for approval:-

(i)that the taxi trade be allowed to indicate to their membership that meters that were due for replacement be replaced with clock calendar meters and:

(ii)that issues in relation to dress code not being adhered to would be reported separately to the Committee following complaint reports made to Tayside Police.

III DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Group be held at the end of August or beginning of September 2004.

BRUCE D MACKIE, Convener.

APPENDIX II