Agenda item

As agreed at the start of the meeting (Article 1 of this minute refers), the Committee received a deputation from Steve Robertson, on behalf of Unite the Union.

Mr. Robertson made reference to a meeting of Unite Union members on 25^th April 2012 at which a number of Taxi Drivers were in attendance. He indicated that at the meeting Unite members had voted for a cap on the number of taxi licences operating in the city, however they were not in favour of a 100% wheelchair accessible vehicle policy. He suggested that the report before the Committee today be deferred until the Taxi Consultation Group (TCG) has had time to debate it more thoroughly.

The Committee heard from Eric Anderson, Senior Solicitor, Licensing & Litigation who outlined the extensive consultation process which had already been undertaken with the taxi trade and other relevant groups.

The Committee also received a deputation from Graeme McColl, on behalf of the Aberdeen Taxi Group (ATG).

Mr. McColl advised that the ATG had hoped that the report would have been considered by the TCG prior to the Licensing Committee meeting today. He indicated that there were two issues before the Committee, namely the issue of capping taxi licences and the wheelchair accessible vehicle policy which should be considered separately. He explained that it was the view of the ATG that the capping of taxi plates (licences) was not needed as it would make no significant difference. He also advised that the ATG did not agree with the proposal for a 100% wheelchair accessible tax fleet by 2017.

At this juncture, Councillor Kiddie moved as a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Nathan Morrison:-

          “to defer consideration of the report and to refer it to the Taxi Consultation Group for discussion.”

On a division, there voted:- for the procedural motion (5) – Councillors Ironside CBE, Kiddie, Nathan Morrison, Reynolds and Townson; against the procedural motion (8) – the Convener, and Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Delaney, Forsyth, Grant, MacGregor and Malik.

The Committee resolved:-

to decline the procedural motion and to consider the report.

With reference to article 9 of the minute of its previous meeting of 17^th April, 2012, the Committee had before it for consideration, a report by the Director of Corporate Governance relating to the Committee’s policy on taxi licences in Aberdeen City.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee instructs officers -

(a)     to impose a limit on the current number of taxi licences (as at 6^th June 2012) subject to recommendation (b) being approved; and

(b)     to amend the wheelchair accessible vehicle policy, by requiring that all taxi licence holders to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle within 5 years of the Committee’s decision, subject to (a) above being approved.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Cameron moved:-

          “that the recommendations in the report be approved, in addition, that officers submit a future report providing more detail in relation to the taxi licence limit surveys and mini-surveys ”

Councillor Kiddie, seconded by Councillor Nathan Morrison moved as an amendment:-

          “that the report be deferred until such time as the Taxi Consultation Group considers the report.”

Councillor Delaney moved as a further amendment:-

          “to take no action in relation to recommendation (a) and that only recommendation (b) of the report be approved.”

Councillor Delaney’s amendment was not seconded, and so fell in terms of standing order 12(7).

On a division, there voted between the Convener’s motion and Councillor Kiddie’s amendment:- for the motion (7) – the Convener and Councillors Blackman, Cameron, Forsyth, Grant, MacGregor and Malik; for the amendment (5) – Councillors Ironside, Kiddie, Nathan Morrison, Reynolds and Townson; declined to vote (1) – Councillor Delaney.

The Committee noted that it was no longer appropriate to consider informal requests for exemption from the requirement to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle and that officers would write to all taxi drivers that have made such requests.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.