Agenda item

In accordance with article 2 of this minute, the Committee heard the deputations as follows:

(A)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), the Committee received a deputation from Mr McLeod in relation to item 5.1 (Response to Consultation on Training for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers) wherein he asked that Committee agree to request the Taxi Consultation Group to explore how additional training could be incorporated within the knowledge test. He explained that they had previously been advised that the knowledge test could not be amended.

(B)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), the Committee received a deputation from Mr McLeod in relation to item 5.2 (Response to Consultation on Knowledge Test for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers)wherein he requested that the Committee agree to take no immediate changes to the current knowledge test undertaken by taxi and private hire drivers. He explained that in his view the test was a necessity for all taxi and private hire drivers.

(C)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), the Committee received a deputation from Mr McLeod in relation to item 5.4 (Membership of the Taxi Consultation Group) wherein he suggested that the entire membership of the Taxi Consultation Group required to be reviewed as the current membership did not represent Aberdeen’s taxi trade. He advised that if there was a desire to increase the membership, then he was of the view that all licenced booking offices should be invited to attend.

Members asked questions of Mr McLeod.

(D)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), the Committee received a deputation from Mr McColl in relation to items 5.1 (Response to Consultation on Training for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers) and 5.2 (Response to Consultation on Knowledge Test for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers) wherein he advised that he felt that both items could be considered together and highlighted that the response to the consultation on training for taxi and private hire drivers had been disappointed.

He advised that he thought that for the majority of the trade that replied to the knowledge test questionnaire they found that the knowledge test questionnaire was more important than the extra training questionnaire. He went on to highlight that the overwhelming response from the trade (262 out of 322 indicated that the same test should apply to taxi and private hire drivers).  In his view, the majority (81%) had made it clear that they felt it was best for the trade to have all drivers being fully knowledge tested. In terms of retesting, he highlighted that as a general rule nobody liked change and this was why he believed the majority of respondents did not want a retest. He agreed with this view and felt that a retest should only be needed if legislation required this.

Finally, he thought that the trade felt that the test was fit for purpose and that there was no need to change the current test, except with the addition of new streets as needed.

(E)       In terms of Standing Order 10(1), the Committee received a deputation from Mr McColl in relation to item 5.4 (Membership of the Taxi Consultation Group) wherein he advised  that if membership was opened up to Aberdeen Taxis then he felt all of the offices in Aberdeen should be allowed representation on the Consultation Group.  He also felt that taxi operators in Aberdeen would have valid input to the Taxi Consultation Group meetings.

Members asked questions of Mr McColl.