TAXI AND PHC TRADE MEETING The meeting took place on Thursday 23 rd February 2016 West Lothian Room, Lothian Chambers Councillor Gavin Barrie GB Convenor Regulatory Committee Andrew Mitchell AM CEC Regulatory Service Manager Catherine Scanlin CS CEC Regulatory Operation Manager (Licensing) Eileen McHale EH CEC Regulatory Team Leader Gordon Hunter GH CEC Regulatory Officer Terry Higgins TH CEC Regulatory Officer Morag Leck ML CEC Legal / Licensing Nick Fraser NF CEC Legal / Licensing Kevin Wood KW Central Taxi s Tony Kenmuir TK Central Taxi s Chris Yiu CY Uber Max Lines ML Uber Hadrien De Patoul HP Uber Robert Downer RD Uber Les McVay LMcV City Cabs City Cabs Kevin Woodburn KWb Edinburgh City Private Hire (ECPH) Edinburgh City Private Hire (ECPH) Stephen Rose SR Capital Cars Capital Cars Laura Lucas LL Edinburgh Taxi Association (ETA) Gerry Deas GD Edinburgh Taxi Association (ETA) David Watt DW Edinburgh Taxi Association (ETA) Jonny Nisbet JN Scottish Taxi Federation (STF) Murray Fleming MF Scottish Taxi Federation (STF) ITEM 1 Introduction and Apologies ACTION GB opened the meeting and introductions were made. Apologies: Archie Mason Persevere Private Hire. 2 Purpose of meeting
1. GB indicated that the council were keen to re-establish a Hire Car Consultation group, where the council and members of the trade were provided with a forum: to raise issues of concern, address any changes to legislation or licensing conditions, to raise standards and improve the service for customers. 2. GB highlighted from the outset that it would be inappropriate to discuss issues of the ongoing Taxi Fare Review or Taxi Card Scheme both of which were subject legal proceedings. 3 Format of consultative group and frequency of meetings 1. AM provided the background on the previous Hire Car Consultation group, why the group was wound up and the proposal to re-establish such a group. It was hoped that the group would act as a representative body for the whole of the Taxi and Private Hire Car trade in Edinburgh 2. AM proposed that: the group met quarterly; the trade nominated which groups should be represented i.e. Companies; trade associations, Unions etc.; that representatives from each group should be limited to 2; propose agenda items should be circulated in advance of the meeting the council would produces action notes rather than a minute of the meeting; 3. General consensus from all present that this proposal would be welcomed. It was also agreed that if the group was going to be successful we should be looking towards future actions and issues. 4. Trade reps asked that the Cab Inspector and TEC should be included within the membership. 5. Proposed that a maximum of 2 per organisation attended meetings, which was agreed? AM TH 6. In order to form a representative and manageable group with credibility and authority each group would be asked to provide details of their organisation, membership and point of contact.
4 Licensing restructure 1. AM provided a brief overview of the structural review of the licensing service and the new management structure 5 Future plans for online systems and payment facilities 1. AM advised that as part of the council s transformational change to drive efficiencies it was intended to introduce an on-line application system in the summer of 2016. 2. Trade were supportive of this position but requested that the council initially maintain a dual system so application can still be permitted in person. 3. CS. As part of the transformational process it is intended to make greater use of email for circulation of information, the application process and consultation. Drivers are currently reluctant hand out email address to the council however it is hoped the trade would embrace this going forward. 4. KW advised that Central already have process in place requiring driver to supply and email address and would be happy to support proposals going forward. 5. MF asked if this would have an impact on licensing fees 6. AM did not envisage any changes to the fees as a result of the proposed changes at this time 7. Trade were generally supportive of an online system and greater use of email. 6 Amendments to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 [CG(S) Act 1982] which the Immigration Bill 2015/16 seeks to implement 1. AM advised that the recently introduced Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2016 would make a number of changes to the CG(S) Act 1982 including: Use of electronic signature Ability to accept electronic objections / representations Possibility to introduce training for PHC drivers Contract Hire provisions. Overprovision of PHC vehicles 2. The Immigration Bill currently passing through Westminster is more than likely going to make a number of changes to Scottish legislation and includes provision for driver to demonstrate that they have a right to work in the UK.
7 Policy updates 1. AM provided brief over view of changes to council policy including: requirement to hold DVLA licence for 12 months prior to grant or renewal of Taxi /PHC drivers licence, late renewals policy good cause for late renewals refunds policy 8 Driver training 1. AM provided an overview of the councils training consultation and proposals to introduce training for PHC drivers. 2. GB Highlighted that this should be seen as an opportunity for the trade to build on the existing experience and knowledge to raise standards, improve the quality of service, increase customer satisfaction & reduce the number of complaints 3. JN Advised that the trade were keen to work with the Licensing Service but question the ability to impose training or refresher training on existing drivers. Whilst trade are always keen to drive up standards they questioned what the council hoped to achieve and hoped that further consultation would take place. 4. Trade asked about the introduction of an English Language test 5. AM advised that this is something that would be considered as part of the consultation 6. KWb asked for clarification if it was the council s intention to impose a topographical assessment on PHC Drivers 7. AM advised that their was currently no plan to require a topographical assessment for PHC Drivers 8. SR asked if companies could get approval to deliver training 9. GB advised that the council were keen to establish own training programme and training standards. 10. AM advised that the current plan was for the council to deliver training in house. 11. Concern was expressed about the current topographical assessment and recent changes to the processes. 12. AM advised that if drivers fail to renew licences in time
they would be considered as a new application. In theses circumstances in driver have not previously sat or not sat and passed a topographical assessment within the last 3 / 4 years they would have to complete the assessment. No changes have been made to the topographical assessment. However, as a result of a review of the process the examination procedure was tightened up and the setting and marking of the papers was reviewed to ensure that the same or similar papers were not constantly recycled. 9 Licence conditions 10 AORB 1. AM provided and overview of the Licensing condition consultation and need to consolidate previous changes into one document. The consultation process highlighted that many driver appeared unaware of existing conditions and this only reinforced the need for additional training for existing drivers. 2. JN highlighted that he had some concerns about the proposed conditions and advised that he had submitted detailed comments on behalf of the STF 3. AM advised that the consultation responses were being considered and reported back to committee in due course. 1. KNb highlighted that the cost of drop off and pick up and drop off at Edinburgh airport had increased again and asked what plans were in place to review current Tariffs 2. AM advised that until the outcome of the current appeal to the Traffic Commissioner was known no further review would be conducted. A full fare review will need to be carried out prior to the introduction of any tariff changes. 3. LMcV highlighted the merits of operating Forward Facing Cameras and Safety Camera and advised that the cost of installing systems had dropped dramatically. In addition a number of insurance companies are now offering a discount to drivers who have cameras installed. 4. JN asked about the council policy on sending out reminder letters. 5. CS advised that letters are still sent out 10/12 weeks in advance of the renewal date, and are sent out first class post. It is hoped that we can start to send reminders out by email in the future which would be far
more efficient and would also provide an audit trail. 6. JN advised that he had personal experience of letter not being sent out. 7. CS noted the concern and agreed to review the current process CS Date of next meeting TBC