Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 12 October 2000 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

In attendance:  Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services).

Apologies:  Councillors Calvert and Rebecchi.

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

890

Taxi Licences for the Disabled

890

There was submitted a report dated 20 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services consideration of which was continued from the meeting held on 18 May 2000 for further information.

Decided:  that consideration of the report be further continued for consultation with the Scottish Executive on progress with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act to assist in determining the Council's policy for the provision of vehicles specially adapted for the disabled as taxis.

891

Taxi Rank - Newton Street, Greenock

891

There was submitted a report dated 26 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of circumstances requiring discontinuance of the use of a taxi stance at Newton Street, Greenock and proposals to provide an alternative stance in the vicinity.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to proceed with the proposal of the designation of a new stance at 48 Inverkip Street and the revocation of the existing stance at Newton Street, Greenock.

892

Procedures Relating to "Spent" Convictions

892

It was noted that this item was withdrawn.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted reports by the Director of Legal & Support Services were relevant, competent and urgent, moved their consideration to allow the Panel to be further advised.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

893

Application for Taxi Licence - Robert and Ellen McIntyre

893

There was submitted a report dated 2 October 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Licence from Robert and Ellen McIntyre who had omitted to make timeous application for their licence to be renewed before its expiry on 31 August 2000.  The report advised that Mr and Mrs McIntyre's licence was granted following the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a).

Noted

894

Taxi Fares Review

894

There was submitted a report dated 9 October 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the results of the statutory consultation exercise and subsequent action taken in respect of the Taxi Fares Review.  It was noted that the period of consultation would expire on 13 October 2000.

Decided:  That, provided no adverse comments are received, it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to make the necessary arrangements to implement the new taxi fare scales as follows with effect from Sunday 19 November 2000:-

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

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.

895

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles - Advertising in and on Vehicles

895

There was submitted a report dated 26 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising that a request had been received from a businessman that the Panel consider reviewing its existing policy for signage on taxis with particular reference to the permitted extent of advertising on the exterior of taxis.  The Panel heard the businessman in support of his request.

Decided:  that the existing policy for signage on the exterior of taxis should be revised to read as follows:-

"The vehicle shall be permitted to display commercial advertisement signage on its four side doors; an exact copy of the proposed advertisement or advertisements should be submitted for approval of its design and content by the Director of Legal & Support Services who shall be entitled to charge a fee to be determined by her in consultation with the Director of Resource Services and to give or refuse consent subject to the conditions she may consider appropriate."

896

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Robert Lang

896

There was submitted a report dated 12 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Robert Lang 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 Murray and Mr= Lang.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

897

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  James Frankgate

897

There was submitted a report dated 12 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by James Frankgate 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.

898

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Iain Mitchell

898

There was submitted a report dated 12 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Iain Mitchell 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 Murray, Ms Gordon (agent for the applicant) and Mr Mitchell.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

899

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Andrew Shields

899

There was submitted a report dated 13 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Andrew Shields 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 Murray and Mr Shields.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

900

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Daniel Ogilvie

900

There was submitted a report dated 18 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Daniel Ogilvie 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 Murray and Mr Ogilvie.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the application be refused.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be granted.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 3 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

901

Application for Private Hire Car Operator's Licence - Daniel Ogilvie

901

There was submitted a report dated 18 September 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Private Hire Car Operator's Licence by Daniel Ogilvie 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 Murray and Mr Ogilvie.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the application be refused.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be granted.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 3 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be refused.