Taxi Liaison Group - 20/01/2014
At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 20th January, 2014.
APPENDIX II
Present:-
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES
Stuart GALLOWAY, Principal General Services Officer, Corporate Services Department
Brian WOODCOCK, Senior Solicitor, Licensing, Corporate Services Department
Neil GELLATLY, Head of Transportation, City Development Department
TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES
Steve CASHLEY, Dundee 505050 Ltd
Erik THORESEN, Dundee Hackney Association
David YOUNG, Dundee Private Hire Ltd
Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association
Willie LEES, GMB
Wayne OHARE, Dundee Taxis Ltd
Doug INGLIS, Handy Taxis
John CURRAN, Tele Taxis
Chris ELDER, Unite the Union
POLICE SCOTLAND REPRESENTATIVES
John CALDWELL, (Constable)
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE
Steve MACGREGOR, PDM Training and Consultancy Ltd
Charles BEDINGFIELD, PDM Training and Consultancy Ltd
Stuart GALLOWAY, in the Chair.
I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group held on 30th October, 2013 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.
II DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL
(a) PRESENTATION BY PDM TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY LTD
There was provided a presentation by PDM Training and Consultancy Ltd giving an overview of the Company and outlining the content and direction of the training course they ran for taxi drivers.
The Group noted the presentation and the availability of this course for taxi drivers in addition to other courses currently operated.
(b) POLICY ON ADVERTISING ON TAXIS/PRIVATE HIRE CARS
Stuart Galloway reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that information may be provided to a meeting of the Licensing Committee on the extension of full body wrap advertising subject to an approved CCTV system being installed within the vehicle.
(c) TAXI FARES - UPDATE ON ADVERT
Stuart Galloway reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that no objections had been received and noted the process leading to implementation.
(d) FEES - UPDATE OF FEES FOR 14TH MAY, 2014
Stuart Galloway reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that there had not been an increase in fees for a number of years and that current proposals being considered for the introduction of Taxi Marshals may also be a factor for fees to be increased.
III DUNDEE HACKNEY ASSOCIATION
(a) DAY TO DAY MANAGERS
Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that the legal position in relation to day to day managers, and the requirement for licence holders to advise the Council of the position, and that decision on variation would be made by the Licensing Committee.
(b) TAXI DRIVER TRAINING
Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that conditions of licence may be examined to include the requirement for operators to have been suitably trained on operation of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles should they wish to operate a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
(c) PUBLIC SECTOR EQUALITY DUTY
Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the legal position and that this would require to be observed.
IV DUNDEE TAXI ASSOCIATION
(a) AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the legal position in relation to airport transfers and Private Hire Licence operation.
(b) TAXI MARSHALS (ANY MOVEMENT)
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted difficulties in relation to non-observance of road markings and obtaining of fares at the G Casino and the benefit that introduction of Taxi Marshals may bring to this location.
(c) AFTER A MEETING WITH FRAZER AT THE TESTING STATION, WOULD IT BE AN IDEA TO HAVE THE OPERATOR (LICENCE HOLDER) TO BE WITH TAXI, PRIVATE HIRE FOR TEST?
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and the benefits that this proposal may realise.
(d) WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO NOT TEST METERS ON 2/3 TESTS - THIS COULD SAVE A LITTLE CASH AND SAVE TESTING TIME?
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that the matter would be further discussed with Police Scotland and the Testing Unit.
(e) LARGE PHOTO OF DRIVER IN SERVICE ON WINDSCREEN (ANY MOVEMENT)?
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that further consideration would be given to the proposal.
(f) TAXI BADGES NEED TO BE LOOKED AT MORE OFTEN
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that drivers may only hold a licensed identification badge if they passed the street knowledge test.
(g) IS IT POSSIBLE TO SEE WORKINGS OUT ON % FOR FARE INCREASE?
Graeme Stephen reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that the information requested would be provided.
V GMB UNION
(a) MIXED FLEET POLICY - FINANCIAL FAIRNESS
The GMB would like to ask Dundee City Council when adapting its new mixed fleet policy? What consideration was given to the financial fairness of requiring wav operators to place more expensive vehicles on service, whilst other operators are allowed to place less expensive saloon cars on service. What can be done to help alleviate wav operators' aggrievance to the financial difference.
Willie Lees reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and the processes which would be observed in providing a mixed fleet policy and that following renewal of licence by operators the nature of current fleet may become more apparent.
(b) PICKING UP AT THE BACK OF TAXI RANKS
What can be done about this unfair practice? Condition 17 of the Taxi Drivers Licence explains how a taxi rank should be worked fairly this unfair practice is out of control and needs to be addressed.
Willie Lees reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that customer choice was a factor in this.
(c) SVQ TRAINING ISSUES
The GMB would like to discuss a number of issues regarding SVQ training.
The Group noted that this matter had been covered on the agenda.
VI UNITE THE UNION
(a) Operators should take their own taxi up for taxi test (it should not be a day to day Manager on a Single Operator's Plate). Day to Day Manager is all right on an actual Company Plate;
The Group noted that this matter had been covered on the agenda.
(b) With the Council bringing in training for all Taxi Badge Holders, all Taxi Operators/Company Owners should also have to do the training. (It could help to stop Plate hiring);
Chris Elder reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that the matter may be given further consideration.
(c) There are no toilet facilities for taxi drivers to use near taxi ranks;
Chris Elder reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that Taxi Offices had toilet facilities and that the availability of public toilets would be raised with the Environment Department.
(d) Festive tariff to start at 6.00 am instead of 6.00 pm; and
Chris Elder reported on the above matter.
The Group noted the position and that the operation of the festive tariff had been established with consideration to festive workers requiring transport.
(e) Taxi Ranks (lack of).
Chris Elder reported on the above matter.
The Group noted that the Head of Transportation was continuing to monitor the position.
Stuart GALLOWAY, Chair.