Taxi Liaison Group - 13/03/2018

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 13th March, 2018.

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES

LISA ARCHIBALD (Senior Electoral Services and Licensing Officer), Corporate Services

Maureen MORAN (Senior Manager (Litigation)), Corporate Services

Neil GELLATLY (Head of Roads and Transportation), City Development Services

Mark DEVINE (Transportation Officer), City Development Services

Fraser CRICHTON (Assistant Manager Transport), City Development Services

Barry RODGER (Environmental Compliance Officer), Neighbourhood Services

Daniel GARVEN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services

Bryan COLEMAN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Ryan TODD for Qaiser HABIB, Dundee City Taxi Drivers' Association

Steve CASHLEY, Dundee 505050 Ltd

Erik THORESEN, Dundee Hackney Association

Bill RATTRAY, Dundee Private Hire (203020) Ltd

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

George SCULLION, Dundee Taxis Ltd

Willie LEES, GMB Union

George HARRIS, Tay Taxis

Charlie DUTHIE, Tay Taxis

Doug INGLIS, Tele Taxis

Chris ELDER, Unite the Union

Also in attendance:-

Councillor George McIRVINE, Dundee City Council

Shona MICHIE (Civic Licensing Officer), Perth and Kinross Council

Louise CORMACK (Licensing Standards Officer), Perth and Kinross Council

Lisa ARCHIBALD, in the Chair.

I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group held on 23rd January, 2018 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.

II DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

Items on agenda at request of Dundee City Council:-

(a) FARES REPORT FROM CITY DEVELOPMENT AND E-MAILS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ATTACHED

Lisa Archibald and Barry Rodger, Joint Chairs, spoke to the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed:-

(i) that the fare increase of 3.02 to 3.10 for initial hire and corresponding rises in the initial hire for tariffs 2 to 4 indicated be recommended for approval and that the testing centre fees also be increased by 2.69%;

(ii) that testing centre fees and all other fees would be reviewed and that the matter be examined again in September, 2018.

(b) CCTV

Barry Rodger reported on the above matter. Following discussion, the Group agreed that the CCTV system provided by Smart Witness be recommended to the Licensing Committee for installation and use in vehicles to be involved in the operation of Taxi Licences and Private Hire Licences.

Fraser Crichton reported on the above matter and the content of his accompanying report which sought to outline the introduction of a vehicle age limit for taxis and private hire cars into the city.

Following discussion, the Group agreed that consideration of the report be deferred to a future meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group to allow the content to be reviewed and for consultation to be undertaken as necessary.

(d) HYBRIDS/RANGE EXTENDERS

The Group noted that the above matter would be considered at a future meeting of the Group, together with the report on taxi age limit of vehicles.

(e) LUGGAGE DIMENSIONS

Fraser Crichton reported on the above matter.

The Group agreed to note that Fraser Crichton would meet with representatives from the Taxi Liaison Group to discuss this matter further together with types of vehicles which may be identified.

(f) TAXI PLATES

Fraser Crichton reported on the above matter.

The Group agreed to note that the garage had now changed the type of sticking tape used for Taxi Plates which should now remedy the issue and secure plates to the vehicle properly.

(g) TAXI TESTING FEES

Fraser Crichton reported on the above matter, together with the accompanying report.

Following discussion, the Group agreed that the proposed increase in Taxi and Private Hire testing fees as outlined in Option 1 of the report be recommended to the Licensing Committee for approval.

(h) PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TAXI ADMIN FEES - NOT ATTACHED

Lisa Archibald spoke to the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note the proposed amendment to the taxi administration fees.

(i) A5 CARD FOR WINDOW

Lisa Archibald reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note that Lisa Archibald was examining the costings in relation to the production of the A5 Card for Window to allow it to be included within the fees for the next renewal of Taxi Driver's Licences to take place in 2020 and would also examine how this would affect the positioning on the car so as not to obscure driver vision.

(j) DRESS CODE

Barry Rodger reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed that the dress code remain as plain dress shirt, black trousers, or skirt and black shoes, and that patterned shirts be allowed and that this be recommended to the Licensing Committee for approval.

(k) ISSUES RAISED BY THE TRADE AT THE LAST MEETING - SEE ATTACHED E-MAIL

Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note the position in relation to Corporate Plates and the selling of Taxi Licences and that the opportunity for WAV Operators to apply for a Corporate Plate existed when they first applied for their licence back in 2003 and that the current selling of Taxi Licences involved licences currently held by saloon vehicles to be replaced by electric vehicles.

III DUNDEE HACKNEY ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee Hackney Association:-

(a) Are there any benefits for WAV operators in place, ie corporate plates or financial gains by selling licences?

(b) Are these plates still the property of the Council, and are they being sub-let and is this legal?

Erik Thoresen reported on the above.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note the position in relation to the selling of plates and that licence holders were selling the business and if their company was sold the plate would transfer with it and this was a corporate legal entity.

The Group agreed to note that this was a matter for HMRC.

(d) WILL OPERATORS WHO RECEIVED A LUMP SUM FOR THEIR PLATES HAVE TO DECLARE THIS AND PAY TAX?

The Group agreed to note that this was a matter for HMRC.

(e) CARS THAT ARE SUITABLE IN SIZE TO BE USES AS TAXIS

The Group agreed to note that this matter had already been covered earlier in the Agenda.

(f) CARGO NETS IN WAV REAR LOADERS

Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note that Fraser Crichton would examine this together with other issues in relation to types of vehicles which may be operated as taxis and report back to a future meeting of the Group.

(g) DESIGNATED LANES FOR RANKINE STREET, LOCHEE ROAD AND INFIRMARY BRAE TO EASE CONGESTION

Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note that Neil Gellatly would ask John ONeill, Network Manager to examine this matter.

(h) COMMERCIAL STREET TO BE USED TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION AT NETHERGATE, MARKETGAIT, WESTPORT AND APPROACH ROAD TO BRIDGE

Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note that Neil Gellatly would take this item of business to the Traffic Co-ordinating Group for further discussion and also to establish whether or not a traffic order should be imposed in the area on the last weekend before Christmas which was deemed to be the busiest period for pedestrian shopping.

(i) TIME LIMIT FOR TRANSFERRING FROM SALOON HACKNEY TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES. WHY ARE SOME OPERATORS GIVEN MONTHS TO CHANGE?

Erik Thoresen reported on the above matter.

Following discussion, the Group agreed to note that operators were given a period of 28 days to transfer from their existing saloons to electric vehicles. Two extensions of time may be applied for to be considered by the Licensing Committee Convener under delegated powers, but should a third request be received that this would be submitted to a meeting of the Licensing Committee for consideration.

IV DUNDEE TAXI ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee Taxi Association:-

(a) FARES

The DTA would ask that the full 2.89% be added to the starting fare (flag fall) this would have the effect of adding 8p to bring the flag fall to 3.10p. All other flag falls would increase by 8p. This would increase 1 mile day shift to 4.06. The average two mile fare to 5.66 which would be an increase of 1.45%. We would also like to see an increase in the token fare charge for additional passengers and luggage increase from 30p to 40p as this is not written in to the formula this would not therefore be elevating from it. This would have the effect as such one mile two passengers a total increase of 18p 2.1% increase when splitting the cost by two. The average two mile two passengers 6.06p 1.5% when splitting the cost by two. Please Note that all comparisons are day shift and that two miles is the average fare also used in the P/H and Taxi Monthly. We don't think that this would be unreasonable as the buses, trains, flights, Council Tax and rent etc, has all increased.

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

(b) CCTV

We recommend the system by Smart Witness. The DTA would also like to ask if it would be possible for the taxi operators who would want the system to pay the full price to the Council and the Council order the systems that would give the operator a possible saving of 70 to 80 which would be from VAT.

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

V DUNDEE CITY TAXI DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

Items on agenda at request of Dundee City Taxi Drivers' Association:-

(a) RISE IN TAXI FARES

I have no objection of rising starting 8p when we click the meter without increasing any extras in miles or distance till next year.

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

(b) CCTV

We have compared and analysed both Smart Witness Taxi Cam and Matrix Incident Cam thoroughly, I strongly recommend Matrix Incident Cam for Dundee City Council Licensed Private and Public Hire Taxis. It will be ideal safety security insurity for public and driver sectors.

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

VI UNITE THE UNION

Items on agenda at request of Unite the Union:-

(a) It has come to our attention that many operators/companies are asking for extensions when putting another vehicle in service, we would like this on the agenda for the up and coming liaison meeting for discussion.

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

VII TAY TAXIS

Items on agenda at request of Tay Taxis:-

(a) TAXI BADGE TEST

The Group agreed to note the issues in relation to the Taxi Badge Test.

(b) SVQ

The Group agreed to note the issues in relation to the SVQ.

The Group agreed to note that the introduction of CCTV systems within vehicles operated as taxis that this may allow for the current permissible level of tint in windows to be increased.

(d) AGE AND TYPE OF VEHICLE

The Group agreed to note that this matter had been covered earlier in the Agenda.

VIII DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group would be established in due course.

Lisa ARCHIBALD and Barry RODGER, Joint Chairs.

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