Taxi Liaison Group - 21/02/2002

At a MEETING of the TAXI LIAISON GROUP held in Dundee on Thursday, 21st February, 2002.

Present:-

Members of Dundee City Council

Representing the Dundee Taxi Association

Representing the TGWU

Doug Martin and Peter Longmuir

Representing Private Hire

Representing Tayside Police

Officers of Dundee City Council

Councillor Regan, Convener, in the Chair.

1 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor F Grant and Councillor N Powrie.

2 LPG FUELLED VEHICLES - PRESENTATION BY MOTOTUNE

Jon Peter of Mototune, Autogas Conversions, gave a presentation to the Group on the suggested benefits of having vehicles converted to LPG and advised the Group that the safety measures involved had the support of the Fire Service.

The Group thanked Mr Peter for his presentation and agreed that an appropriate representative of the Fire Service be invited to attend a future meeting of the Group for further consultation on this matter.

3 SPACE SAVER TYRES

(a)Scott Saunders of Tyre Savers gave a presentation to the Group on the suggested benefits of vehicle owners using their product. Mr Saunders advised the Group that other Councils had shown an interest in the safety benefits of their product. Mr Saunders also advised the Group that the TGWU would like to endorse the product and that Andy Kerr MSP had visited their factory.

The Group agreed that a decision on the merits of this product be deferred to a future meeting to allow further research to be undertaken.

(b)The Plant and Vehicle Officer reported on the use of space saver tyres and, in particular, their use by the Taxi Trade.

After discussion, the Group agreed that vehicles which were used as taxis should not utilise space saver tyres and instead, continue to use tyres of the same description used on the vehicle.

4 TAXI TESTING FACILITIES

There was submitted a report by the Director of Support Services on the review of both the fees charged by the test centre and the operation of the current taxi testing regime.

There was discussion about the application of legislation in terms of testing of taxis and it was explained to the members present that there was a distinct difference between testing of vehicles for MOT purposes and the testing of vehicles for the purpose of use as taxis. Members were reminded, however, that should a vehicle pass a taxi test, it would be eligible to be awarded an MOT Certificate.

After discussion, it was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting to allow consideration of the proposals of the Taxi Trade in this regard.

5 CHANGES TO GUIDANCE NOTES

There was submitted a report by the Director of Support Services on the review of guidance notes for Taxi Tests.

The recommendations detailed in the report were agreed after members were advised that, on those occasions, that a vehicle would be operated by an approved tester of the Council, that the vehicle would be covered in terms of the insurance policies of the Council.

6 ID BADGES

The Group was advised of the intention of the Council to introduce new ID style badges, an example of which was exhibited to the membership.

Procedures which would be undertaken to obtain a badge and associated costs were explained. The membership were reminded of the requirement for their badge to be on display at an appropriate location within a vehicle.

The Group agreed the introduction of the new badges.

7 TAXI PLATES

The Group was advised of a new style of Taxi Plate which was to be introduced.

8 WINDOW STICKERS

The Group discussed the request from Tele Taxis for permission to use window stickers as a form of advertising.

After discussion, the Group approved the use of window stickers for this purpose, provided they did not obscure visibility of the driver and were not detrimental to the safe operation of the vehicle.

9 TAXI TESTING - MOT RE-TESTS AND MOT CERTIFICATES

This item was considered during consideration of Item 4 on the agenda.

10 PARCEL SHELVES/LUGGAGE RESTRAINS

The Plant and Vehicle Officer advised the membership that the inclusion of parcel shelves or luggage constraints would be permitted, provided that they were fitted properly and would provide the function for which they were intended.

11 DISABILITY AWARENESS

It was reported that there were no vacancies on any courses until mid September. The Group noted the success of the course and agreed that the possibility of an evening course being introduced be investigated.

12 HEADREST ADVERTISING

The Group was advised of the possibilities for the introductions of headrest advertising in vehicles, an example of which was displayed to the membership.

The Group agreed that headrest advertising be permitted under the usual terms and conditions.

13 PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS TO CAB ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Group were reminded that responsibility for appropriate documents lay with the taxi operator and that they should be exhibited to the Cab Enforcement Officer in his presence only.

14 TAXI SURVEY

The Group agreed that the feasibility of and contractor implications of a Taxi Survey being undertaken be remitted to Iain Sherriff of Planning and Transportation to report to a future meeting of the Group.

15 TAXI METERS

The Group discussed the introduction of multi tariff Taxi Meters being set up to automatically change to various charging tariffs.

After discussion, the Group agreed that the taxi trade should arrange a demonstration for a future meeting.

16 APPLICATION TO CONVERT PRIVATE HIRE LICENCES TO TAXI LICENCES

The Group heard Mike Kelly of 203020 private taxi hire about their request that private hire licences be converted to taxi licences.

The Group advised Mr Kelly that this would not be possible as the limit for the issue of taxi licences had been met.

17 HIRE PLATES - COUNCIL VIEW

The Group discussed the issue of Taxi Plates being hired out to third parties.

Stuart Galloway advised the Forum that if anyone was aware of this practice being carried out, that they should let him know and he would ensure that the appropriate agencies were advised accordingly.

GEORGE REGAN, Convener.

APPENDIX II