Taxi Liaison Group - 06/12/2016
At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 6th December, 2016.
Present:-
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES
Stuart GALLOWAY (Principal General Services Officer), Corporate Services
Brian WOODCOCK (Senior Solicitor, Licensing), Corporate Services
Fraser CRICHTON (Assistant Manager Transport), City Development Services
Barry RODGER (Environmental Compliance Officer), Neighbourhood Services
Bryan COLEMAN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services
Daniel GARVEN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services
Mark DEVINE (Transport Officer), City Development Services
John ONEILL (Team Leader - Network Management), City Development Services
TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES
Erik THORESEN, Dundee Hackney Association
Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association
Qaiser HABIB, Dundee City Taxi Drivers Association
George SCULLION, Dundee Taxis
Willie LEES, GMB Union
George HARRIS, Tay Taxis
Doug INGLIS, Tele Taxis
Chris ELDER, Unite the Union
Stuart GALLOWAY, in the Chair.
I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group held on 9th August, 2016 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.
II DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL
Items on agenda at request of Dundee City Council:-
(a) TRAINING FOR TAXI DRIVERS - UPDATE AS TO NUMBERS OF DRIVERS TRAINED
Stuart Galloway and Chris Elder reported on the above.
The Group noted;-
(i) that as advised by Chris Elder, Unite the Union had processed 270 drivers through the course to date and that they were confident that their remaining membership would also complete the course within the timescales; and
(ii) that as advised by Stuart Galloway, the course operated by the college had processed 150 drivers through the course to date with a further 150 drivers booked for places.
(b) TAXI DRIVER RENEWALS
There was submitted draft Report No 1-2017 by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services advising members of the proposals to deal with Taxi Driver renewal applications and new applications for Taxi Driver and Private Hire Car Driver's Licences.
The Group agreed to note that:-
(i) the procedures in Section 4.3.1 to 4.3.3 of the report will be adopted for Taxi Driver renewal applications;
(ii) new applicants for Taxi Driver's Licences be required to undertake approved training within the timescale outlined in Section 4.4 of the report; and
(iii) holders of Private Hire Car Driver's Licences be required to complete the approved training by May 2020 as outlined in Section 4.5 of the report.
The Group also proposed that any grant of a new licence should only take effect once the individual licence holder had completed an approved Taxi Driver Training Course.
(c) FEES
Stuart Galloway reported on the above.
The Group noted the fees as outlined by Mr Galloway and a proposal that there would be a 20 increase for taxi operators and that drivers would be given a 20 rebate.
(d) TAXI MARSHALS
Stuart Galloway reported on the above.
The Group noted that the operation of the Taxi Marshals Scheme had witnessed a positive difference at the location of the G Casino and that commencing January, 2018 any infringements at this location would generate warnings to the individual licence holders and thereafter would be reported to the Licensing Committee for a suspension hearing if they failed to desist.
(e) FARES - DETAILS FROM CITY DEVELOPMENT
Stuart Galloway reported on the above.
The Group agreed:-
(i) that the fare structure be recommended for approval as submitted; and
(ii) that the calculation of the fare structure be re-examined in July, 2018.
(f) TAXI DRIVERS DRESS CODE
Bryan Coleman reported on the above.
The Group agreed:-
(i) to note that the Licensing Standards Officers had witnessed infringements in relation to the dress code; and
(ii) that Licensing Standards Officers would take enforcement action as appropriate in relation to the dress code towards encouraging a smarter appearance of licence holders and public perception of licence holders.
(g) REVIEW OF THE TAXI DRIVERS TEST TO FOCUS ON STREET KNOWLEDGE
Bryan Coleman reported on the above.
The Group noted that the Street Knowledge Test would be revised in line with the test operated by Edinburgh City Council towards emphasising street knowledge elements rather than focus on Highway Code.
(h) EV HUBS AND GUL CITY PROJECT
Fraser Crichton reported on the above.
The Group noted the progress in relation to electric charging and funding initiatives in relation to promotion of electric vehicles and charging points throughout the City.
III DUNDEE HACKNEY ASSOCIATION
Items on Agenda at request of Dundee Hackney Association:-
(a) SUSPENSIONS
Erik Thoresen reported on the above.
The Group noted that should any passengers have any concerns or complaints in relation to the conduct of a licence holder whilst a passenger in a taxi or private hire vehicle they should contact Police Scotland to allow the issues to be investigated and reported as appropriate to a meeting of the Licensing Committee for potential suspension hearing.
IV DUNDEE TAXI ASSOCIATION
Items on Agenda at request of Dundee Taxi Association:-
(a) WORDING ON FORMING COMPANY LICENCES AND HOW THE COUNCIL DETERMINES A COMPANY
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group noted the position in relation to company licences and corporate licences as indicated and that wording in relation to partnerships be required to be further expanded, in particular, if someone was to leave the partnership.
(b) WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT A TIME LIMIT AT ALL RAPID CHARGERS 45 MIN?
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group noted that the signage at Electric Rapid Charging Points would be examined with a view to indicating that 45 minutes would be the maximum period of time allowed at a charging point to discourage possible illegal parking and the proper use of the facilities within time periods governed.
(c) NUMBER OF PASSENGERS BEING CARRIED IN TAXIS
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group noted that information would be provided to the Trade to remind them of the position in relation to being licensed for the carriage of a certain number of people to avoid any misunderstanding that the carriage of young children or babies was not included within this figure.
(d) TAXI PLATES IN REAR WINDOWS. IS IT POSSIBLE - THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TAPE BEING USED
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group noted that the Plant and Vehicle Officer would keep this matter under review.
(e) SPECIAL EVENTS DISCS ON PRIVATE HIRE
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group agreed to note that the use of special events discs on private hire were for non-standard private hire vehicles and would be used for corporate events only.
(f) ANGUS TAXIS OPERATING IN DUNDEE BOUNDARY
Graeme Stephen reported on the above.
The Group noted that this matter would be examined in consultation with Licensing Standards Officers.
V GMB UNION
Items on agenda at request of GMB Union:-
(a) NETHERGATE RANK, IE CARS ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD
Willie Lees reported on the above.
The Group agreed:-
(i) to note concerns in relation to conduct of licence holders at the Nethergate Rank;
(ii) to note that over the period of roadworks at this location it was perceived that the operation of the rank was much more effective; and
(iii) to note that the Head of Roads and Transportation Services was examining the possibility of a CCTV camera being installed at the location to further discourage illegal parking by licence holders at this location.
(b) TRAFFIC CONTROL AT THE RAILWAY STATION AT PEAK TIMES
Willie Lees reported on the above.
The Group agreed:-
(i) to note the request that traffic signals at this location be adjusted at peak times with a view to preventing possible excessive fares for passengers;
(ii) to note the request that the lights at the Marketgait be adjusted to allow for easier exit for taxis; and
(iii) to note that City Development Department would examine these proposals.
(c) CORPORATE PLATES
The Group noted that this matter had been covered at IV(a) of this minute.
VI TAY TAXIS
Items on Agenda at request of Tay Taxis:-
(a) COUNCIL TO LOOK AT SOCIAL NETWORK POSTINGS OF ADVERTISING FOR OPERATORS OUTWITH THE BOUNDARIES AND RULES SET DOWN BY OUR LICENSING COMMITTEE
George Harris reported on the above.
The Group agreed to note the position in relation to the operation of special events vehicles.
(b) TESTING OF TAXIS, TIMES AVAILABLE INADEQUATE, IE TOO LONG FOR APPOINTMENTS
George Harris reported on the above.
The Group noted the position in relation to the operation of the Testing Centre and the pressures placed upon the operation of the Testing Centre.
Stuart GALLOWAY, Chair.