Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 6 April 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Calvert, McCormick, Morrison (D), Morrison (M) and Nimmo.

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

In attendance:  Support Services Manager and Mr F Jarvie (for Director of Legal & Support Services).

Apologies:  Councillors Mulholland and Rebecchi.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Panel.

320

Disability Discrimination Act 1995:  Taxi Provision

320

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on the current position regarding the provision of taxi services for the disabled following a circular from the Scottish Executive.

Noted

321

Application for Temporary Public Entertainment Licence:  Craig Fawbert, Parklea, Port Glasgow

321

There was submitted a report dated 8 March 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising that the application to hold a music festival at Parklea, Port Glasgow was withdrawn.

Noted

322

Application for Temporary Public Entertainment Licence:  East India Harbour, Greenock

322

There was submitted a report dated 3 April 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application by J R White Amusements Ltd to hold a funfair at East India Harbour, Greenock between 28 April and 13 May 2000.

Decided:  that the application to hold a funfair at East India Harbour, Greenock be agreed in principle and that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to determine the application.

323

Applications for Taxi Licences:  Mrs Christina Easdale

323

There was submitted a report dated 4 April 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on applications for the grant of five taxi licences by Christina Easdale.  The Panel heard Mr Henderson, QC, for the applicant, and Mr Douglas for Inverclyde Council.

After hearing the submissions from Mr Henderson and Mr Douglas, the meeting was adjourned at 3.30 pm to allow the Panel to consider the matter in private.  The meeting was re-convened at 3.50 pm and the parties and the public were re-admitted.

Decided:  that the applications be refused.

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

324

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Craig Hunter

324

There was submitted a report dated 14 March 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for renewal of a Taxi Driver's Licence by Craig Hunter following an objection by the Chief Constable that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous convictions.  The Panel heard Chief Superintendent O'Connell and Mr Hunter.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor McCormick moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 3 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.