Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 31 August 2000 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

In attendance:  Support Services Manager.

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

751

Taxi Fares Review

751

There was submitted a report dated August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the results of the informal consultation process in respect of the annual Taxi Fares Review, including the response received by the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that a 10% increase in all tariffs be brought into effect by way of a corresponding decrease in the current yardage.  As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that there be no increase in the taxi fares.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)  that for the purposes of public consultation, the Council's proposals for a review of taxi fares be as follows:-

TARIFF 1

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

Initial charge (1,353 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional  169 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

 £1.50

10p

£1.80

£1.10

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 (1,312 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 164 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.60

10p

£1.90

£1.10

TARIFF 3

Pre-booked hirings begun between midnight and 6 am and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 and 2 January

Initial charge (1,312 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 146 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.80

10p

£2.20

£1.30

WAITING TIME

For each period of 36 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

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to advertise these proposals and to submit a further report on the result of the advertisement.

752

Application for Late Hours Catering Licence - Three-in-One, 17 Kempock Street, Gourock

752

There was submitted a report dated 10 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Late Hours Catering Licence by Roslyn Ghareh to allow the operation of a hot food takeaway at the premises known as The Three-in-One, 17 Kempock Street, Gourock between the hours of (i) 11 pm and 1.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, (ii) 11 pm and 1 am on Thursdays, (iii) 11 pm and 12 midnight on Sundays to Wednesdays and (iv) on 24 and 26 December and 2 January in each year 11 pm to 1.30 am.  The Panel heard Mr Ghareh in support of the application.

Following discussion, Councillor Rebecchi moved that the hours be granted as follows:- (i) 11 pm to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, (ii) 11 pm to 12.30 am on Thursdays, (iii) 11 pm to 12 midnight on Sundays to Wednesdays and (iv) on 24 and 26 December and 2 January in each year between 11 pm and 1 am.  As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the hours be granted as moved by Councillor Rebecchi with the substitution of 11 pm to 1 am on Thursdays.  On a vote, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.p

Decided:  that the application for a Late Hours Catering Licence in respect of 17 Kempock Street, Gourock be granted between the hours of (i) 11 pm and 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, (ii) 11 pm and 12.30 am on Thursdays, (iii) 11 pm and 12 midnight on Sundays to Wednesdays and (iv) on 24 and 26 December and 2 January in each year 11 pm and 1 am.

753

Application for Taxi Licence - Robert Hayne

753

There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Licence by Robert Hayne who had omitted to make timeous application for his licence to be renewed before its expiry on 31 July 2000.  The report advised that Mr Hayne's licence was granted following the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a).

754

Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

754

There was submitted a report dated 3 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising the Panel of the overall purpose and content of the new legislation relating to all houses in multiple occupation to be licensed from 1 October 2000 and seeking approval for the introduction of a licensing scheme to comply with the legislation for the small number of establishments understood to be affected by the new legislation in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)   that the mandatory licensing system for houses in multiple occupancy with effect from 1 October 2000 be noted;

(2)   that the Scottish Executive guidance as outlined in the report be agreed;

(3)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to submit a further report on proposed standard conditions to be applied in the grant of a licence for a house in multiple occupation;

(4)   that, where permitted by the legislation, notice of the making of an application for a licence for a house in multiple occupation be given by advertisement in a newspaper;

(5)   that authority be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services as Proper Officer to grant a licence for a house in multiple occupation provided there is no objection to the grant and no other unusual circumstances surrounding the application and no representation from the applicant on the proposed terms of the licence requiring a hearing by the Panel;  and

(6)   that authority be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services following consultation with the Chairperson, his Substitute and a Member of the Minority Groups to set the fee for an application for such a licence and in consultation with relevant Officers to take all necessary and incidental action in connection with the processing of licences for houses in multiple occupation.

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 items of business 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.

755

Application for Street Trader's Licence:  Kevin Donnelly

755

There was submitted a report dated 11 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services who orally advised that Mr Donnelly had applied for a Street Trader's Licence and not a Window Cleaner's Licence as indicated in the report.  The report advised that an objection by the Chief Constable had been received on the grounds that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence by virtue of his previous conviction.  The Panel heard Superintendent McColl and Mr Donnelly.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

756

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Charles Travers

756

It was noted that this application was withdrawn.

757

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  John Clark

757

There was submitted a report dated 10 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by John Clark following a report by the Council's Medical Adviser.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

758

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Joseph Sutherland

758

There was submitted a report dated 10 August 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Joseph Sutherland following a report by the Council's Medical Adviser.  Mr Sutherland was present and spoke in support of his application.

Decided:  that the application be granted on the conditions of his current licence.

759

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  William Rodriguez

759

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by William Bell Rodriguez 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 Superintendent McColl, Mr Docherty for the applicant and the applicant.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor Rebecchi 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.

760

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Gordon McDaid

760

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Gordon McDaid 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 Superintendent McColl, Mr Wright, agent for the applicant, and Mr McDaid.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

761

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Mark Brennan

761

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Mark John Brennan 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 Superintendent McColl and Mr Brennan.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor Rebecchi moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 3 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

762

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Mark Gallagher

762

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Mark Gallagher 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.

Decided:  that the application be refused.