Taxi Liaison Group - 10/07/2012

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 10th July, 2012.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES

Stuart GALLOWAY, Principal General Services Officer, Support Services Department

Brian WOODCOCK, Senior Solicitor, Licensing, Support Services Department

Neil GELLATLY, City Development Department

Mark DEVINE, City Development Department

Dave LINDSAY, City Development Department

Ian McCANDLESS, Environment Department

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Steve CASHLEY, Dundee 505050

Erik THORESEN, Dundee Hackney Association

David YOUNG, Dundee Private Hire (203020) Ltd

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

Doug MARTIN, Tay Taxis

John CURRAN, Tele Taxis

Chris ELDER, Unite the Union

TAYSIDE POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

Cammy FORBES (Constable)

Neil CRUICKSHANK (Constable)

Also attending:-

Elena BROWN, Dundee City Council NEC Programme Office

Stuart GALLOWAY, in the Chair.

I MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of meetings of Taxi Liaison Group held on 22nd March, 2012 and 17th April, 2012 were submitted and noted for information and record purposes.

II MATTERS ARISING

In relation to the minute of meeting held on 22nd March, 2012, the Chair advised the Group that procedures were in place for notifying Taxi Trade representatives of those licence holders who may have been suspended with immediate effect.

In relation to the minute of meeting of 17th April, 2012, the Chair advised that seven appeals had been lodged with the Traffic Commissioner, however, these may not progress to formal appeal hearing, and the procedure in this respect was outlined. It was reported that one person had withdrew their appeal and that Ian McCandless had arrangements in place pending the outcome of the hearing.

III DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Items on agenda at request of Dundee City Council.

(a) AIR QUALITY

There was submitted an update report by Tim Steiner of JMP with reference to a meeting of the Liaison Group held on 17th January, 2012, wherein the process of the development of an air quality charter for the city was outlined. At that meeting, there was discussion about various potential mechanisms to reduce air pollution from taxis and others types of vehicles. It was reported that JMP had subsequently completed an assessment exercise which had sought to identify the contribution that different options could make to reducing traffic pollution at key locations where air quality was particularly poor. The Group noted:-

(i) that the Council, along with further partners, was now considering the findings of this exercise and how best to bring forward some of the options that would secure the biggest benefits;

(ii) that at this stage, no significant changes to taxi operations, such as to ranks or exemptions from bans for general traffic, were being considered for air quality reasons;

(iii) that Dundee City Council had also bid for and obtained Scottish Government Funding to provide fuel efficient driver training for many taxi drivers in the city and that this would be provided free of charge and had been proven elsewhere to notably reduce fuel consumed for most drivers so reducing pollution and general fuel cost savings; and

(iv) that more details of this would be provided to the Taxi Liaison Group in due course by the Councils Transport Management Team.

(b) NATIONAL ENTITLEMENT SMARTCARD IN DUNDEE

Elena Brown reported that a meeting on National Entitlement Smartcard in Dundee had been arranged by the Corporate Planning Division of Dundee City Council and this would be held on 13th August, 2012 from 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm to which representation from the Taxi Trade would be welcomed. Venue had still to be confirmed.

Dundee City Council was the lead Council for developing the National Entitlement Card and the Council was holding a workshop to discuss how to take forward development with the NEC as part of Dundee city's strategy for the future.

There were over 50,000 Dundee citizens already using the NEC, including over 90% of secondary school pupils and over 60 year olds, and additionally Dundee College and University of Abertay students using it as their matriculation card. It was actively used in twelve distinct service contexts and with some thought and planning could do so much more to widen and streamline access to services.

The meeting on 13th August, 2012 would include presentations on current position as well as some innovative proposals for further development. This would lead to a new plan to take the NEC forward to its next stage of development in Dundee. The Council were looking for up to two representatives from the Taxi Liaison Group to attend the meeting to represent the interests of the Taxi Trade at this meeting and report back to the Liaison Group.

The Group agreed to put forward George Harris, Chris Elder, Steve Cashley and Dave Young as representatives.

The Group noted that a Sub-Group would be formed comprising the Chair, Graeme Stephen and Ian McCandless, John Curran and Dave Young and that a document would be issued for consultation. The Sub-Group may also discuss issues in relation to the transfer of test certificate.

(d) MARCHBANKS

The Group noted that Taxi Test Facilities Operations at Clepington Road would be relocated to Marchbanks in October, 2012.

(e) DRIVER TRAINING

The Group discussed current proposals in relation to providing training courses for driver training. Costs associated with attendance and the possible training provider were considered. Training provided by other taxi offices within Dundee was also outlined. The Group noted that a recognised training provider would be sourced to provide the training and that an update may be provided at the September meeting of the Committee.

IV DUNDEE TAXI ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee Taxi Association.

(a) PRIVATE HIRE ISSUES

Graeme Stephen reported on concerns that had been known to him in relation to the alleged practises of private hire vehicle drivers.

The Group noted the submission and the need for witnesses to advise relevant enforcement agencies accordingly.

(b) TAXI MARSHALS/CABS ENFORCEMENT

Graeme Stephen reported on experiences of taxi drivers at the location of the G Casino and that consideration should be given to appropriate enforcement to be implemented at that location.

The Group noted that discussions would be held with the G Casino with a view to obtaining their assistance with this matter in the interests of their operation at that location and the safety of patrons and that discussion would take place with Neil Gellatly and Tayside Police as to whether or not funding may be available to allow for the implementation of taxi marshals as an aid to public safety at this venue.

Graeme Stephen reported on an issue in relation to child restraints in taxi/private hire and the carriage of children in prams. In this respect, Constable Forbes clarified an enforcement matter which had taken place in relation to the particular incident which Mr Stephen was referring to and the correct carriage of a child in that instance.

The Group noted the position and that revised conditions would make it much clearer what the position was in relation to child restraints and that driver training may also assist with this purpose.

(d) A MORATORIUM OF OPERATORS LICENCES

Graeme Stephen reported on the possibility of a moratorium of operators licences for a period of time.

The Group noted that a report would be submitted to a meeting of the Licensing Committee in September on the possible balance of percentages of the Taxi Fleet which may allow for this matter to be considered.

V UNITE THE UNION

Items on agenda at request of Unite the Union.

(a) TINTED GLASS IN TAXIS

Chris Elder reported on an issue in relation to tinted glass in taxis.

Ian McCandless explained the background to this particular matter and that the current policy in this respect was in place in the interests of public safety and the security of passengers.

Following discussion, the Group agreed that the policy not be changed.

(b) SPARE WHEEL

Chris Elder explained an issue in relation to practices of manufacturers in relation to spare wheels and how this would affect vehicles operated as a taxi.

The Group agreed that this matter may be discussed with the Sub-Group referred to at Article III(c) and be included as part of the test conditions.

VI DUNDEE HACKNEY ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee Hackney Association.

(a) INDEPENDENT TAXI DEMAND SURVEY

The Group noted that this item had been withdrawn from consideration by the representative of Dundee Hackney Association.

(b) TAXI NUMBER CAPPING

The Group noted that this item had been withdrawn from consideration by the representative of Dundee Hackney Association.

(d) ILLEGAL HIRED PLATES

The Group noted that this item had been withdrawn from consideration by the representative of Dundee Hackney Association and that, however, Dave Young wished for this particular matter to be considered. In this respect, Mr Young reported his concern in relation to capping the number of taxis may mean that the issue in relation to plate hiring was not resolved. In this respect, Graeme Stephen suggested that the introduction of company licences for saloon cars may mean that this matter was no longer a problem. Constable Cruickshank explained the checks which had taken place to date by Tayside Police in relation to investigations on plate hiring.

The Group noted the position.

VII TAYSIDE POLICE

Items on agenda at request of Tayside Police.

(a) BOUNDARY CHARGES

Constable Forbes reported that complaints had been received from members of the public on the variance of boundaries charges being applied by drivers and reported incidents in this respect. It was stated that agreement on the fares for cross boundary journeys must be secured at commencement of the journey and that if a boundary charge was made known to the passenger prior to commencement of journey this may avoid any unnecessary difficulties.

The Group noted the position.

VIII LICENCE HOLDER - PETER FRASER

Item on agenda at request of licence holder, Peter Fraser.

(a) SPACE SAVER WHEELS

The Group noted that this matter had been considered under Article VI(b) of this minute.

Stuart GALLOWAY, Chair.

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