Second Hand Dealer's Licence to Brian Boyle to allow him to sell second-hand records, CDs, videos, books and posters at premises at 63 Kempock Street, Gourock.

NOTED

1123 APPLICATION FOR SECOND HAND DEALER'S LICENCE AND METAL DEALER'S 1123

LICENCE: SAMUEL FREEBURN, 10 BOUVERIE STREET, PORT GLASGOW

SUBMITTED: Report dated 29 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services advising that authority had been received using the procedure under Standing Order 66 to grant a Second Hand Dealer's Licence and Metal Dealer's Licence to Samuel Freeburn to allow him to sell second-hand car parts at premises at 10 Bouverie Street, Port Glasgow.

NOTED

1124 TAXI FARES REVIEW 1124

SUBMITTED: Report dated 2 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services advising of the results of the statutory consultation exercise in respect of the taxi fares review and on the responses received to the Council's proposals.

DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the report be noted and that the following fare scales be adopted from Sunday 16 November 1997:-

TARIFF 1

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun between 6 am and midnight

Initial charge (1,582 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 198 yards or part thereof)

£1.30

10p

TARIFF 2

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun between midnight and 6 am and all pre-booked hirings begun between 6 am and midnight

Initial charge (1,535 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 192 yards or part thereof)

£1.50

10p

TARIFF 3

Pre-booked hirings begun between midnight and 6 am and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January

Initial charge (1,535 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 171 yards or part thereof)

£1.70

10p

WAITING TIME

For each period of 45 seconds or part thereof

10p

SOILING CHARGE

Charge dependent on severity up to a maximum of

£15.00

VAT

The foregoing charges are inclusive of Value Added Tax;

and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to take all necessary action to implement the new fare scales.

1125 REVIEW OF TAXI STANCES 1125

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Central Services advising of consultations carried out by the taxi trade and Strathclyde Police on proposals to designate a list of existing and new taxi stances and to revoke the designation of taxi stances that were no longer used.

The Director of Central Services orally advised the Panel as to the following details to complete and amend the description of taxi stances in the report:-

(i) Regent Street (Wellpark), Greenock - Following advice from the Director of Transportation and Roads, a stance for nine cabs extending 45 metres in length commencing from a point 76 metres east of the extended east kerbline of Bank Street.

(ii) West Stewart Street, Greenock - a stance for eight cabs extending 40 metres in length commencing from a point opposite the extended southeast kerbline of Argyle Street.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to carry out the statutory procedure in respect of the list of taxi stances to be designated and the list of taxi stances to be revoked as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report respectively as completed and amended above but with the following changes:-

(i) Bank Street, Greenock - to be designated as a taxi stance but for two cabs only;

(ii) Car park at Auchmead Road, Greenock - to be designated as a taxi stance for ten cabs;

(iii) Station Road, Port Glasgow - to be designated as a taxi stance only between the hours of 7.00 am and 10.00 pm for three cabs;

(iv) Church Street/Crawford Street, Port Glasgow - to be designated as a taxi stance only between the hours of 8.00 am and 10.00 pm for seven cabs; and

(v) Scarlow Street, Port Glasgow - to be designated as a taxi stance only between the hours of 10.00 pm and 8.00 am for eight cabs.

1126 DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995 FOR THE DISABLED - 1126

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS FOR TAXIS: INFORMAL CONSULTATION

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services seeking the views of the Council to the Government's proposals which seek to ensure, in pursuance of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, that disabled people, including those who use and wish to remain in their wheelchairs, can get into and out of and to travel in licensed taxis in safety and reasonable comfort.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to respond to the Government's consultation paper as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

1127 TAXIS AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES - ADVERTISING IN AND ON VEHICLES 1127

SUBMITTED: Report dated 2 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services on the current policy on signage for vehicles licensed as taxis or for private hire.

DECIDED: That the Panel consider a new policy for advertising and that it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to submit a further report on the proposed guidelines on an advertising policy for taxi and private hire vehicles.

1128 APPROVAL OF VEHICLES AS TAXIS OR PRIVATE HIRE CARS - ESTATE CARS 1128

SUBMITTED: Report dated 2 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services on the current policy which excludes the approval of estate cars operating as taxis or private hire cars and outlining specific requirements which the Panel may wish to consider if approving estate cars as licensed vehicles. After discussion, Councillor Calvert moved that estate cars be approved as licensed vehicles. As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that estate cars be not approved as licensed vehicles. On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried. As a further motion, Councillor Rebecchi moved that no luggage be carried in the vehicle so as to protrude above the top of the rear seat. As an amendment, Councillor Roach moved that a guard be erected between the rear seat and the luggage compartment which would allow luggage carried in the vehicle so as to protrude above the top of the rear seat. On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 3 for the amendment and the Chairman, having given his casting vote, declared the motion carried.

DECIDED: That the Council's policy on the types of vehicles approved as taxis or private hire cars include estate cars but that no luggage be carried in the vehicle so as to protrude above the top of the rear seat of the vehicle.

1129 PROPOSED TAXI CHARTER 1129

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on a request from Strathclyde Police that the Council consider the formulation and promulgation of a charter to be adopted by the taxi trade.

DECIDED: That the concept of a taxi charter be agreed in principle and that it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the Chairman, Councillor Roach and a Member of the Minority Groups to discuss with the Police and the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners' Association the form and content of the proposed charter with a view to reporting back with recommendations to the Licensing and Registration Panel in early course.

1130 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 1130

On the motion of the Convener it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

1131 APPLICATION FOR TAXI LICENCE: PAUL McCLUSKEY 1131

SUBMITTED: Report dated 2 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Licence by Paul McCluskey to make available to the public a vehicle specially adapted for use by the disabled. Mr McCluskey was present and with consent spoke to the Panel on his application. After discussion, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that the application for a Taxi Licence be granted on the terms set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report and subject to an overall limit of five passengers (including those in wheelchairs) for the vehicle. As an amendment, Councillor Clocherty moved that the application be refused. On a vote, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

DECIDED: That the application for a Taxi Licence by Paul McCluskey to provide to the public a vehicle specially adapted for use by the disabled be granted on the terms set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report and subject to an overall limit of five passengers (including those in wheelchairs) for the vehicle.

1132 REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION OF TAXI LICENCES AND METAL DEALER'S LICENCE: 1132

ALEXANDER EASDALE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 August 1997 by the Director of Central Services requesting the Panel to consider the suspension of the following licences granted by the Licensing Authority to Alexander Easdale:

(a) Taxi Licences Nos 20, 100, 171, 198 and 202; and

(b) Metal Dealer's Licence permitting him to trade under the name of Clyde Metals at 3 Upper Ingleston Street, Greenock.

The Panel heard acting Chief Superintendent Anderson and Mr Johnstone on behalf of Mr Easdale.

DECIDED: That the Taxi Licences and Metal Dealer's Licence held by Alexander Easdale be suspended immediately for the remainder of their respective terms.

1133 APPLICATION FOR TAXI LICENCES: CHRISTINA EASDALE 1133

SUBMITTED: Report dated 3 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services on applications for the grant of five Taxi Licences following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that Mrs Easdale would not be a suitable person to hold the licences by virtue of (a) the conviction of Mr Alexander Easdale and (b) the close family association between Mr Easdale and his mother, Mrs Christina Easdale. The Panel heard acting Chief Superintendent Anderson, Mr Johnstone, agent for the applicant, and Mrs Easdale.

DECIDED: That the applications be refused.

1134 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: STEPHEN BRYCE 1134

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Stephen Bryce following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous convictions. The Panel heard acting Chief Superintendent Anderson and Mr Bryce.

DECIDED: That the application be refused.

1135 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: BRIAN McARTHUR 1135

SUBMITTED: Report dated 16 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Brian McArthur following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous convictions. The Panel heard acting Chief Superintendent Anderson and Mr McArthur. Following discussion, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be refused. As an amendment, Councillor Clocherty moved that the application be granted. On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 4 for the amendment which was declared carried.

DECIDED: That the application be granted.

1136 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: ANDREW TAIT 1136

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Andrew Tait following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous convictions.

DECIDED: That the application be refused.

1137 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: JAMES GILLESPIE 1137

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by James Gillespie following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous conviction.

DECIDED: That the application be refused.

1138 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: IAN HEMPSEY 1138

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Ian Hempsey following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous convictions.

DECIDED: That the application be refused.

1139 APPLICATION FOR TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE: THOMAS GIVEN 1139

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 September 1997 by the Director of Central Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Thomas Given following an objection by the Chief Constable on the grounds that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous conviction. The Panel heard acting Chief Superintendent Anderson and Mr Given.

The Director of Central Services drew to the Panel's attention his concern that the Council might not be entitled to grant a licence in the circumstances of the applicant's recent previous conviction.

DECIDED: That consideration of the application be declined as incompetent in view of the applicant's recent restoration of his driving licence.

1140 SAFETY OF SPORTS GROUNDS ACT 1975: CAPPIELOW PARK, GREENOCK 1140

SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 October 1997 by the Director of Central Services advising Members (i) of the current position in relation to outstanding matters from the annual inspection of Cappielow Park, (ii) of the up-to-date position with regard to proposed future developments of the stadium and (iii) seeking delegated authority from the Panel in relation to the General Safety Certificate applying to the stadium.

DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b) That authority be delegated to the Director of Central Services following consultation with the Police and Fire Brigade and other Council Officers where appropriate and the Chairman, Councillor Roach and a Member of the Minority Groups to (i) approve the specification and installation of a turnstile metering system, (ii) approve the specification, method statement and other details for the repair and refurbishment of the steelwork, replacement of external cladding and installation of individual seating for the main stand , and (iii) determine a new maximum capacity for the main stand and a consequent increase in the total capacity of Cappielow Park under the General Safety Certificate in accordance with the relevant statutory regulations and guidance on the matter.