ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCILCORPORATE SERVICES

PLANNING, PROTECTIVE SERVICESAND LICENSING COMMITTEE

2oTH JANUARY 2O1O

crvrc GoVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982TAXI FARE SCALE REVIEW

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 ln terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 the local authorityrequires to review taxi fares and other associated charges every eighteenmonths. The last review was carried out in early 2008 and the decision toincrease the three tariffs was implemented with effect from 1Oth April 2008.

The latest review of taxi fares was advertised in all local newspapers askingfor representations from all Organisations and Individuals in by 4thDecember 2009. Letters to this effect were also sent out to all TaxiOperators on 7th October 2009.

2. CONSULTATION

2.1 Members may wish to note that of all the operators consulted with thisreview only 23 have replied. Section 17 of the Act places no obligation onlocal authorities to increase the fares at every review although theproposals submitted require to be taken into consideration.

2.2 Of the 23 replies received only one supported a small increase, however nospecific proposals were submitted. Please refer to Appendix I for details.

2.3 22 letters were received from Taxi Operators in the Helensburgh area, all ofwhom would not support any increase of fares at this time. Please refer toAppendix ll for the standard letter received. Appendix lll provides a list ofnames and address of those operators who would not support any increase.

Enquiries were made with Highland Council, Moray Council and AngusCouncil regarding their existing taxi charges for the purposes ofcomparison. Angus Council has provided information on their scales whichcame into force on 28th October 2008. Highland Council has providedinformation on their scales which came into force on 2no November 2009. A

2.4

table showing the general effect of the tariffs of these two Council's,together with Argyll and Bute's existing taritfs is attached as appendix lV.

2.5 To emphasis the changes with inflation the Committee are advised that theAll ltems Retail Price Index for October 2008 was 4.2o/o and was -0.8% forOctober 2009. The Annual Change percentage for 2009 is not yet availablehowever the figure for 2008 was 4.0% and for 2007 was 4.3o/o. During thelast quarter of 2009 increases of 2.6 and 3.7 per litre respectively was seenfor ULSP (unleaded petrol) and Diesel.

3. DECISION ON REVIEW

3.1 Members are now required to review the matter of taxi fares. Members arereminded that in fixing new fares or confirming the existing fare they arefixing a maximum fare that can be charged for the hire of a taxi and that taxioperators or drivers are free to charge any lesser amount up to and includingthe maximum fixed. In reviewing the matter of taxi fares members areinvited to consider whether:-

a) They wish to increase the scate of maximum fares to such a levelthat will satisfy the one request to do so, having regard to:-

(i) The lack of representation or response to the proposed reviewof taxi fare scales for or against from consultees, interestedparties and members of the public.

(ii) The comparison of the general effect of Argyll and Bute'sexisting fares with those in place in Angus Council and HighlandCouncil.

(iii) The decrease in the retail price index.(iv) The increase in the price of fuel.

or

b) They wish to reatfirm the current scale of maximum fares aspreviously fixed by the Council having regard to:-

(i) The lack of representation and response from consultees,interested parties and members of the public

Members should be aware that any person who operates a taxi in a area forwhich scales have been fixed or in respect of which a review has been carriedout will have the opportunity to lodge an appeal to the Scottish TrafficCommissioner within a 14 day period.

4. RECOMMENDATION

4.1 The Committee are asked to:-

(i) Fix the scales for taxi fares and other charges(ii) Authorise t!-e-Head of Legal and Protectivi Services to advertise theagreed tariff for 2010.

SUSAN MAIRHead of Legal and protective ServicesEnc.

For further information please contact: Alison MacNab on Extension 419g.

Appendix ILawrence Avenue

ColgrainHelensbwgh

G84 7JH

04 November2009

Dear Sir/]vfadam,

Ref:amn/oct0914519

With reference to your letter dated 7e October 2009, regarding the impending talitaritr review in Argyll and Bute, I, as an independent licensed operator within theHelensburgh and Lomond are4 am of the opinion that a modest taritrincrease wouldbe an appropriate outcome of such a review, bearing in mind that the last increase wason 1" April2008

In forming this opinion I have taken due cognizance of the current economic situationprevailing and the consequential downturn in the truri tade and other businessescaused by this. However, I do feel that a small increase, either on the flat rate (flag falltaxiff) or on the running mile (distance travelled) or a combination of both, to be a fairand appropriate response, particularly taking into account the sharp rise in taxirunning costs during the past 2 (two) years; i.e. fuel, insuranceo maintenance etc., allof which look likely to continue to rise in the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, I feel that a small increase at this time to be both fair to the tarioperators and the public and therefore would hope that this submission will be givenfavourable consideration dwing your deliberations.

Yours faithfully,

J*Thomas NeilPlate No. 2102

Appendix ll

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Appendix l l l

List of those Taxi Operators / Drivers who do not support any increase in fares

Tom MacGregor, 2The Lochans, RosneathPaul Kennedy, 1 Fernie Gardens, CardrossJames Gibb,4 Gare Road, RosneathAllan Paterson, 38 Lomond Road, AlexandriaMaxine Fletcher, South Lodge, Maidstone Road, ShandonKenneth MacAuley, 43 Redgauntlet Road, HelensburghScott McDougall, 30A West King Street, HelensburghJohn Haddow, 9 Williamson Drive, HelensburghWilliam Godfrey, 3714 Feorlin Way, GarelochheadBrian Gallagher, 10 Lawrence Avenue, HelensburghTom Kimmitt, 45 Townhead Road, HelensburghGary Owen, 23 Braid Avenue, CardrossPatrick Moy, Fintown, Back Road, ClynderMargaret McGall, 59 East Princes Street, HelensburghWilliam Petrie, Lower Craigard, Church Road, RhuGeorge Finlay, 8 Hillside Road, CardrossDerek Barbour, Primrose Bank, Shore Road, KilcregganJames Scott, 20 Rosneath Castle Caravan Park, RosneathJohn Allan, 9 lnchmurrin Crescent, Ballochlan Osbourne, 6 Kilbride Drive, HelensburghM.W. Brown, 9 Barrs Road, CardrossRoderick Scott, 102 Geils Avenue, Dumbarton

APPPENDIX IV

Argyll and ButeCouncil

Angus Gouncil Highland Council

Tariff I f2.50* f2.80 82.50

Tarift 2 f3.00** t3.00 €3.00

Tariff 3 e3.50*** t4.00 f3.60

*Taritf 1- Yardage Differs as per area:-Argyll and Bute - 860Angus - 1760Highland - 826

**Tariff 2 - Yardage Differs as per area:-Argyll and Bute - 860Angus - 1345Highland - 578

"**Tariff 3 - Yardage Differs as per area:-Argyll and Bute - 860Angus - 1320Highland - 444