Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead. View directions

Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel. No. 01546 604392 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gordon Blair, Mary-Jean Devon, George Freeman, Roderick McCuish, Jean Moffat and Sandy Taylor.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982: APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PRIVATE HIRE CAR OPERATOR LICENCE (ISLAY TUK TUK LIMITED, LONDON)

Report by Head of Governance and Law

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He then outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Applicant to speak in support of his application.

 

APPLICANT

 

Mr Gallacher referred to the growth in tourism on Islay and Scotland with around 1.2 million visitors coming to Scotland over the last 2 years to visit whisky distilleries.  He advised of a huge influx of people visiting Islay on whisky pilgrimages and also of repeat visitors to the island.  He said there were issues with taxis on Islay and advised that during 2018 12,500 visitors came by ferry.  He advised that there had been a notable reduction in visitors coming over in their own vehicles and that around 28,000 visitors flew to the island during 2018.  He said that it was quite problematic getting taxis generally on Islay as a person living there, regardless of the increase in visitors during the summer when the population went up to about 20,000.  He advised that he was not envisaging Islay Tuk Tuk operating as a private hire business and they did not intend competing with other taxi drivers on the island.   He explained that they planned to offer experiential tours – something bespoke and memorable for returning visitors who wanted something different.  He advised that the tours would not just be limited to the distilleries as they would offer bespoke island tours.  He said that they had a website ready and waiting to go live.

 

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

 

Councillor Trail asked what type of vehicle the Tuk Tuk was.  Mr Gallacher explained that it was a 3 wheeled car which was highly efficient on fuel and better for the environment.  He advised that it was surprisingly robust and sturdy on the road.  He said there would be room for one driver in the front and 2 passengers in the rear with seatbelts.  He confirmed that it could get up to 45 mph.

 

Councillor Redman asked what employment would be generated by the business and what benefits it would bring to the island.  He also asked that if the licence was not granted would this lead to an increase in the problem of getting transport on Islay.  Mr Gallacher referred to the increase in footfall to the island due to flights now coming from Edinburgh.  He said that they would like to be flexible in the services they offered but primarily it would be for pre-arranged bespoke tours.  He pointed out that the vehicle was not entirely wind proof but he did have sides on order which would help seal the vehicle but could change the experience for the passengers.  He said that he would like to approach companies such as the Woollen Mill to ask if they would tailor some garments for the passengers to use in the rear of the vehicle such as sheep skins and tartan blankets.  He advised that he had also spoken to some local hoteliers and restaurants owners to see if they would be able to offer a set menu for customers if they broke up the day with a stop for lunch as part of the tour.  He said that they hoped to involve as many other businesses as possible.  In terms of employment he said that he had some friends willing to invest so there was the possibility of expansion in the future.  He confirmed that they only had one vehicle at the moment.

 

Councillor Hardie pointed out that the objector painted a different picture regarding demand for taxis on Islay and he asked Mr Gallacher to comment.  Mr Gallacher said that he has used this taxi business before and was charged £25 to travel from his home to Port Ellen.  He advised that another taxi business charged £15 for the same journey and he suggested that perhaps the objector’s pricing was the reason for a lack of demand for his service.

 

At the request of Councillor Currie a picture of the vehicle was circulated around the Committee.

 

Councillor Currie referred to Mr Gallacher applying for a Private Hire Car Operator Licence and pointed out that the holder of this type of licence would be able to take calls to pick up someone wanting a lift home.  He asked Mr Gallacher if he envisaged offering this type of service.  Mr Gallacher advised that in the first instance he wanted to provide something unique that tourists did not have at the moment.  He advised that he was not saying he would not provide a taxi service but he did not think that was something they would want to concentrate on.  He advised that they proposed setting their hours of operation as they did not want to disrupt the peace of the island or give anyone just cause to complain about the service.

 

Councillor Douglas asked if there was a similar service operating anywhere else in Scotland.  Mr Gallacher did not think so.  He advised of his experience of using Tuk Tuk vehicles during his travels to India.  He also advised of a recent holiday to Sri Lanka where, he said, the roads were quite similar to Islay and that they did quite well there.  He said it was always an enjoyable experience being on a Tuk Tuk.

 

Councillor Trail asked if the vehicle would be legal on the road as according to the application form the MOT for the vehicle ran out in 2012.  Mr Gallacher advised that this was typographical error.  He confirmed that this was a brand new vehicle and that it had recently passed an independent vehicle assessment.

 

Councillor Colville advised that he was struggling to share the Applicant’s enthusiasm.  He referred to the annual rainfall and average wind speeds on Islay and asked why it had to be a Tuk Tuk.  He said that he could not see the cultural connection with whisky on Islay.  Mr Gallacher said that it was not about a cultural connection but more of a connection to the environment as passengers would be more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.