Agenda item

With reference to article 2 of this minute, the Committee received a deputation from Russell McLeod, Chris Douglas and Alan Catto.

Mr McLeod made reference to the previous Taxi Fare Review in 2019, which was implemented in early 2020. He advised that the past 12 months had been difficult for the taxi trade, which included rising fuel costs and the cost of living increases. He made reference to the National Hackney Fares Table for April 2023 and advised that Glasgow and the Highlands, including Inverness had both recently been awarded 20% increases, Aberdeenshire taxi fares had increased by 10% on 1 April 2023.

In addition, Mr McLeod indicated that Aberdeen did not have a Fare Increase in 2022, however drivers were able to pass on any charge Aberdeen International Airport implemented, without having to come back to Committee. He intimated that the taxi trade sought an increase in 2022, although this was refused by the Committee, one month before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr McLeod made reference to the existing Taxi Fare Formula, the costs of various vehicles, tyres, parts and labour charges which were all considerably more expensive (in excess of 15%) than they were back in 2019/20. He explained that the trade faced further financial pressures and that many colleagues would be required to invest in newer, greener vehicles to comply with the Low Emission Zone being introduced in the city centre in June 2024.

Mr McLeod outlined their proposal for taxi fares including a request to simplify the Christmas Tariff and urged the Committee to agree to their proposal. He advised of an error in their submission regarding the extra pick-up charge at the Railway Station which should read £1.00 instead of £0.50.

Mr McLeod, Mr Douglas and Mr Catto responded to questions from members of the Committee.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of the previous meeting of 15 March 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the interim Chief Officer – Governance (legal) which provided evidence from the taxi fare tariff calculator that would allow the Committee to reach an informed decision on any changes to be made to the current taxi fare tariff and comply with its duty to review taxi fares under section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      approve either Option A or Option B detailed at section 3.4 of the report as the proposed scales to be advertised for the taxi fare review in terms of section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

(b)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to advertise the proposed scales agreed in a newspaper circulating in its area for at least one month together with the general effect of the proposed scales and the date when it is proposed that they will take effect; and

(c)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Governance to submit a report to the Licensing Committee on 28 June 2023 on the outcome of the consultation on the proposed scales and seeking a final decision on the future taxi fare levels to be adopted from 31 July 2023.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Boulton moved:-

that the Committee –

(1)    approve the tariff option submitted by the Taxi Trade as part of the consultation process and that the scales proposed be advertised for the taxi fare review in terms of section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982; and

(2)    approve recommendations (b) and (c) within the report.

The Vice Convener moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    approve Option A detailed at section 3.4 of the report as the proposed scales to be advertised for the taxi fare review in terms of section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982; and

(2)    approve recommendations (b) and (c) within the report.

The Vice Convener’s amendment was not seconded, therefore in terms of standing order 29.12, the amendment fell.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.