Taxi Liaison Group - 13/08/2007

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 13th August, 2007.

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Bailie Roderick A J WALLACE

COUNCILLORS

Tom FERGUSON

Laurie BIDWELL

Helen DICK

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

David BOWES

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

George HARRIS, Tay Taxis

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

Steve CASHLEY, 505050 Taxis

John CURRAN, Tele Taxis

TAYSIDE POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

Alec SELFRIDGE, Tayside Police (Constable)

Cammy FORBES, Tayside Police (Constable)

OFFICERS

Stuart GALLOWAY, Principal General Services Officer

Brian WOODCOCK, Senior Solicitor, Licensing

Alan LEWIS, Planning and Transportation

Mark DEVINE, Planning and Transportation

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor Mohammed Asif and Chris Elder, TGWU.

I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting held on 20th June, 2007 was submitted and approved.

II REVISION OF TAXI FARES

Reference is made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Group of 20th June, 2007, wherein it was agreed that officers consider the proposals for an increase in fares submitted by the trade. In this regard, options for increasing the additional mileage charge from its current 1.10 per mile were submitted.

After discussion, it was agreed to recommend to the Licensing Committee that the charge of 20p for each additional 320 yards or part thereof be amended to a charge of 20p for each additional 270 yards or part thereof. The effect of this reduction in yardage being to increase the charge for additional miles travelled after the initial charge to 1.30 per mile. Examples of the effect of this on various hires are attached in the Appendix.

It was further agreed that all other charges remain the same and that trade proposals for an increase in the charge for additional passengers, alterations to unsocial hours charging and waiting time be discussed with the trade early in 2008.

III CCTV

George Harris advised the Group of discussions he had had with a company for the supply of CCTV equipment in the cabin of taxis in the interests of driver and passenger safety. Graeme Stephen reported that a number of packages on the market did not meet certain specifications to allow for effective operation. Tayside Police had been consulted on proposals for installation of CCTV in taxis. Images stored on CCTV equipment would only be accessible by Tayside Police.

The Group noted that George Harris would report back to the Group on the outcome of his discussion.

IV DISABILITY ISSUES

The Convener advised the Group of his concerns that Taxi Operators and Taxi Drivers should provide proper service to customers with disabilities.

Following discussion the Group agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Group on a possible amendment to conditions to emphasise this requirement. The Disability Awareness Group would also be consulted on possible additional training for Taxi Drivers.

V MEETINGS OF THE TAXI LIAISON GROUP

It was agreed that the frequency of meetings of the Taxi Liaison Group be reviewed.

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener.