Taxi Liaison Group - 19/02/2008

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 19th February, 2008.

APPENDIX III

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Bailie Roderick A J WALLACE

Councillor Tom FERGUSON

Councillor Helen DICK

Councillor Andrew DAWSON

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Bill RATTRAY, The Dundee Taxi Cab Company Ltd, trading as Dundee Taxi Cab Company Limited

George HARRIS, Tay Taxis

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

John CURRAN, Tele Taxis

Erik THORESEN, Dundee Wheelchair Taxi Association

Chris ELDER, Transport and General Workers' Union

TAYSIDE POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

Cammy FORBES, Tayside Police (Constable)

Bryan COLEMAN, Tayside Police (Sergeant)

OFFICERS

Patricia McILQUHAM, Depute Chief Executive (Support Services)

Stuart GALLOWAY, Principal General Services Officer

Brian WOODCOCK, Senior Solicitor, Licensing

Alan LEWIS, Planning and Transport

Ian McCANDLESS, Dundee Contract Services

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

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Mark Devine, Planning and Transport.

I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting held on 14th December, 2007 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.

II MATTERS ARISING

(a) CCTV IN TAXIS

On a reference to Article III of the minute, Stuart Galloway advised the Group that a series of meetings had taken place, at the conclusion of which, a demonstration had been provided on a package called Taxi Cam provided by VerifEye (UK) Ltd, the specifications of which met with the approval of Trade members who participated and Tayside Police. Mr Galloway advised that a sum of 2,500 was available for a pilot scheme and a decision was required on how this would be allocated and the number of operators who would participate.

Graeme Stephen of the DTA confirmed that the product met desired specifications in the interest of driver and passenger safety and crime prevention. With regard to the installation of the equipment in vehicles for a pilot period, following discussion and input from Trade members, the Group agreed that Taxi Trade representatives would provide Stuart Galloway with the names of six taxi operators who would be willing to participate in the pilot. In order to properly evaluate the installation and operation of the CCTV system, the taxi operators selected would all operate different types of vehicle. It was also agreed that the cost of the installation would be split on a 50-50 basis between the Council and the Taxi Trade.

(b) PLACEMENT OF TAXI RANKS AND SIGNAGE

On a reference to Article VII of the minute, Alan Lewis, Planning and Transport, reported that in the interests of safety, it would not be possible to allow general access of taxis to pedestrianised areas. In 1992, taxis had access to some areas which were pedestrianised, however, due to the number of complaints that had been received in this regard, this practice was revised and discontinued in 1994. In this respect, Graeme Stephen requested that consideration be made to allowing access to Commercial Street. Mr Stephen highlighted benefits which this may provide in respect of level of service to customers. Alan Lewis advised the Group that he would investigate the possibility of access of taxis in Commercial Street and report back to a future meeting of the Group.

With regard to signage, Alan Lewis advised the Group that Planning Officers were examining this issue and their findings would be reported to a future meeting of the Group.

On a reference to Article IX of the minute, Stuart Galloway advised that new computer equipment had been recently installed in the Licensing Section and that a further report be made to a future meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group on progress.

III TAXI LICENCES AND PRIVATE HIRE CARS

There was submitted a draft report to be considered over a series of meetings as part of a consultation process. Patricia McIlquham gave a brief background to the report and the possibilities which were available to carry forward the consultation process. Following discussion, during which members of the Taxi Trade put forward various views on this topic, it was agreed to commence with the consultation process for various interested parties within Dundee and that further discussion take place in due course on the findings of the consultation process. Thereafter, a report would be submitted to a meeting of the Licensing Committee for a decision in this respect.

IV TRAFFIC LIGHT FAULT - RIVERSIDE DRIVE - TRAIN STATION

John Curran of Tele Taxis advised the Group that the filter light facility on traffic light system at junction of Riverside Drive and Dundee Train Station was not operating and that this was causing difficulty to vehicles accessing the train station. Alan Lewis of Planning and Transport would investigate the matter.

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener.

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