Taxi Liaison Group - 19/03/2019

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held at Dundee on 19th March, 2019.

Present:-

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL OFFICER REPRESENTATIVES

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

Brian WOODCOCK (Senior Solicitor, Licensing), Corporate Services

Barry RODGER (Environmental Compliance Officer), Neighbourhood Services

Bryan COLEMAN (Licensing Standards Officer), Neighbourhood Services

Mark DEVINE (Transportation Officer), City Development

Fraser CRICHTON (Assistant Transport Manager), City Development

TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Scott WALKER, City Cabs Dundee 505050 Ltd

Qaiser HABIB, Dundee City Taxi Drivers Association

Mohammed HASHMI, Dundee City Taxis

Ryan TODD, Dundee Electric Taxi Association

Graeme STEPHEN, Dundee Taxi Association

Charlie DUTHIE, Tay Taxis

Chris ELDER, Unite The Union

Also in attendance as an observer:-

Councillor George McIRVINE, Dundee City Council

Lisa ARCHIBALD and Barry RODGER, Joint Chairs, in the Chair.

Prior to commencement of the business, reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee of 24th January, 2019, wherein the membership of the Taxi Liaison Group was agreed following consideration of the report on the review of membership and criteria for membership.

The Joint Chairs welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the reconstituted Taxi Liaison Group and introductions were made.

I MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group held on 21st August, 2018 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes.

II TAXI FARES 2019/2020

There was submitted a paper prepared by City Development on proposals in relation to taxi fares, charges and tariffs for the period 2019/2020, a copy of which is attached to this minute as an appendix. These proposals were presented as options 1 and 2. The Group gave consideration to the content of the paper describing the options including calculations as tabled by Mark Devine in supplement to the information provided.

Following discussion, the Group agreed:-

(i) to note that there was general agreement amongst the trade membership present that option 2 containing proposed tariffs be submitted to a meeting of the Licensing Committee for approval and to note that, as indicated by Chris Elder, he was not in a position to commit to either of these proposals which had been issued for discussion prior to consultation with his members;

(ii) to note that, to meet timescales, a report on the adoption of taxi fares as outlined in option 2 would require to be presented to the meeting of the Licensing Committee to be held on 2nd May, 2019; and

(iii) to note that any observations or comments from members of the trade as to the proposals contained in option 2 should be submitted to Lisa Archibald by 19th April, 2019 to allow them to be progressed for inclusion within the submission to the Licensing Committee as noted at (ii) above and that, should any members have any objection to the proposal, they would have the opportunity to make a representation to the Committee in person by requesting to be heard as a deputation.

The Joint Chairs allowed the following additional items to be considered at this meeting.

III TAXI RANKS

(a) NETHERGATE - BUS BAYS

Lisa Archibald took the opportunity to report to the Group that complaints were continuing to be received from bus drivers and members of the public in relation to the inappropriate parking of taxis at the bus bay opposite the taxi rank at the Nethergate and public safety concerns arising as a result including the inability for elderly and disabled members of the public to get on buses. The trade members present were reminded of the formal procedures which were in place and had been agreed by the Licensing Committee in relation to inappropriate parking and requested that the membership relay these concerns to their members. In accordance with the aforementioned procedure, those licence holders who were found to be parking irresponsibly and had been reported to the Licensing Office could find themselves the subject of a suspension hearing at a meeting of the Licensing Committee in relation to their fitness to be the holder of a Taxi Driver's Licence. Neil Gellatly, Head of Roads and Transportation, would also be approached with a view to examining the feasibility of implementing a Traffic Order at that location with enforcement signage indicating that no u-turn was possible from the bus bay onto the rear of the rank to deter any future breaches at this location as it was recognised that this may act as a deterrent as it would mean that individual licence holders would incur penalty points on their licences as a result of making an unlawful u-turn on to the opposite side of the road.

The Group agreed to note the position.

(b) ST ANDREWS STREET TAXI RANK

Graeme Stephen highlighted the St Andrews Street taxi rank indicating that no relocation had been indicated as yet. Lisa Archibald responded that it was intended that this be moved across the road and that this rank had also incurred complaints due to taxis over ranking and therefore resulting in obstruction to other road users.

The Group agreed to note the position.

IV G CASINO - TAXI MARSHALS

Graeme Stephen reported on the Trade's perception that Police Scotland were not enforcing road traffic law at the location of the G Casino when offences in relation to inappropriate parking by taxi drivers were taking place. Both Qaiser Habib and Chris Elder further reported that they perceived Taxi Marshals were not providing an effective service at this location. Lisa Archibald advised that, should Trade members be of the belief that there was a problem at this location, they should contact the Licensing Office so that they may investigate. Fraser Crichton highlighted the importance of public safety at this location and that Taxi Marshals were in place in the interests of the public not being put at risk and emphasised that taxi drivers were professional drivers and that, in the interests of road safety, it would be desirable for them to pay careful adherence to road safety at this location and to adhere to the Highway Code and regulatory signage in place.

The Group agreed to note the position.

V CCTV DOCUMENTATION TO BE ISSUED WITH TAXI OPERATOR AND PRIVATE HIRE CAR RENEWAL APPLICATION FORMS

Lisa Archibald advised of the documentation which would be issued to all Taxi Operator and Private Hire Car Licence holders together with their applications for renewal of licence. This would include information on the approved CCTV system and procedures which may be followed by any licence holder interested in installing such system in the vehicle to be used in the operation of their licence. Lisa Archibald advised that installation of an approved CCTV system would require the licence holder to submit an application for variation to the Licensing Office for consideration. Any variation granted would be attached to the individual licence plate and not the vehicle to be used in the operation of the licence in contrast to request for variation to place advertising on a vehicle which would be specific to the vehicle and not the licence. It was emphasised that only an approved CCTV system was permitted for installation and that installation could only be undertaken if approved by the Licensing Office and that this was in the interests of public safety.

The Group agreed to note the position.

VI CCTV - TINTED WINDOWS

Graeme Stephen enquired as to progress on CCTV installation towards allowing Taxi Operator Licence holders to have tinted glass on their vehicles which, in many occasions, was now standard supply of manufacturers. Lisa Archibald advised that once the current approved system was fully assessed they would be able to consider the position in relation to tinted glass with a view to submitting an item to a future meeting of the Licensing Committee in this respect for consideration. Ryan Todd made an enquiry in relation to the timescales for this as it was considered that electric vehicles were limited at the moment in terms of the vehicles which they may put in service and that there was currently a six month waiting list, so any indication as to when this matter may be considered would be of assistance to them to allow them to progress and programme any purchase effectively. In reply, Lisa Archibald advised that the Licensing Office would consider putting a note to the Licensing Committee on 2nd May, 2019 in relation to CCTV and tinted glass. It was also highlighted that very few manufacturers were providing cars with clear glass and that, in most occasions, tinted glass was standard fitment to vehicles.

The Group agreed to note the position.

VII ELECTRIC VEHICLES - CHARGE FOR USE OF CHARGING POINTS

Qaiser Habib enquired in relation to charging for the use of electric charging points and when this may come into operation. In reply, Fraser Crichton advised that the Transportation Section were currently meeting with Transport Scotland on this and that no definitive position had been received as yet.

The Group agreed to note the position.

VIII TRANSPORT SCOTLAND - GRANTS

Chris Elder commented that from discussions he had had with Transport Scotland they had indicated that grants for Euro 6 diesel vehicles would be extended until 2020. Graeme Stephen also reported that Transport Scotland were currently awarding grants of 3,500 to members of the public and the taxi trade towards replacing diesel vehicles and that, in his view, more benefit could be realised if more of an incentive had been given to the taxi trade in this respect.

The Group agreed to note the position.

IX PRIVATE HIRE CAR LICENCES - CAPPING OF NUMBERS

Qaiser Habib enquired in relation to the capping of the number of Private Hire Car Licences. In reply, Brian Woodcock advised that this would be included in the next survey on unmet demand for taxis.

The Group agreed to note the position.

X TAXI UNMET DEMAND SURVEY - PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS

Ryan Todd enquired as to what was contained within the procedure for surveys and what elements were taken into consideration towards coming to an outcome. Fraser Crichton reminded the Group that the company who currently undertook the survey were responsible for undertaking the same survey in a number of other cities also, including Glasgow.

The Group agreed to note the position.

XI DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Group agreed to note that the date of the next meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group would be established in due course.

Lisa ARCHIBALD and Barry RODGER, Joint Chairs.