Agenda item

As agreed at the start of the meeting (Article 1 of this minute refers), the Committee received a deputation from Graeme McCall and Lynne Smith on behalf of the Aberdeen Taxi Group (ATG).

Lynne Smith advised that costs for taxi drivers had risen substantially over the past three years due to inflationary increases, the costs for purchase and servicing vehicles and increased fuel prices.  She made reference to the formula used by officers to calculate the average fare per mile to cover costs which in her opinion, did not take into account the impact of those taxis caught in traffic.

Graeme McCall agreed with the general comments contained within the report at section 5.8, namely, that in setting fares the Licensing Committee must take account of relevant costs and comparisons to ensure the taxi trade receives an adequate return to enable it to continue to meet the public’s requirement for its services.

The Convener sought the Committee’s approval to circulate and consider correspondence received by Brian Adam, MSP dated 1 September, 2011 regarding a request to discontinue the practice of charging a £1 taxi telephone booking fee.  The request to circulate the correspondence was approved.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Governance which provided details to allow the Committee to reach an informed decision on any changes to be made to the current taxi fare tariff arising from proposals submitted by ATG on behalf of the taxi trade in Aberdeen.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee considers the report and any representations made by members of the trade and –

(a)       agrees in principle to ATG’s proposal for a basic charge of £2.40 for the first 950 yards and thereafter a charge of £0.20 for every additional 180.5 yards;

(b)       decides if it wishes to implement the increase in waiting time to £23 per hour;

(c)        decides if it wishes to increase the surcharge for hires commencing at the railway station to £1;

(d)       sets the date on which the new tariff would take effect (and taking into account the statutory consultation period and lodging of any appeal).  The earliest date that a change to the tariff can be effected is 8 December, 2011, but this date may be subject to change; and

(e)       instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to advertise the general effect of the proposals and the date when it is proposed that they take effect.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Boulton moved:-

“that the Committee –

(a)       agrees for the purpose of advertising the proposal, a basic charge of £2.40 for the first 950 yards and thereafter a charge of £0.20 for every additional 180.5 yards;

(b)       agrees for the purpose of advertising the proposal an increase in waiting time to £23 per hour;

(c)        agrees for the purpose of advertising, to make no change to the surcharge for hires commencing at the railway station;

(d)       agrees that the tariff change is effected on 8 December, 2011 or the earliest possible date after this;

(e)       instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to advertise the general effect of the proposals and the date when it is proposed that they take effect; and

(f)         requests that officers bring a report to the Taxi Consultation Group regarding the formula that will be used in future years and that officers report back to the Licensing Committee with final proposals for implementation”.

Councillor Donnelly, seconded by Councillor Cormack moved as an amendment:-

“that the Committee does not agree to an increase in taxi fares, in addition to end the practice to allow a surcharge for hires commencing at the Railway Station and the removal of the £1 telephone booking fee”

On a division, there voted:- for the motion:-  (10) – The Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Collie, Cormie, Dean, Farquharson, MacGregor, Noble, John Stewart and Townson; for the amendment:-  (4) – Councillors Cormack, Leslie, Donnelly and Yuill.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.