Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 22 February 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

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

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

173

Taxi Licensing:  Demand for Taxis

173

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services setting out the current position with regard to the demand for taxis in the area and recommending a proposed course of action to deal with the matter.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to carry out a survey of the demand for the services of taxis within Inverclyde in accordance with the proposals outlined in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report and advise on the results of that survey.

174

Application for Taxi Licence - Graham Campbell

174

There was submitted a report dated 22 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Licence by Graham Campbell who had omitted to make timeous application for his licence to be renewed before its expiry on 30 November 2000.  The report advised that Mr Campbell's licence was granted following the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a).

Noted

175

Application for Temporary Public Entertainment Licence - Greenock Arts Guild, Campbell Street, Greenock

175

There was submitted a report dated 12 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Temporary Public Entertainment Licence by Greenock Arts Guild Ltd in respect of premises at Campbell Street, Greenock for an extension of the hours already permitted to include 12.00 midnight to 2.00 am to permit them to hold a drama competition on 22 to 24 February 2001.  The report advised that the licence was granted following the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a).

Noted

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.

176

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles - Advertising in and on Vehicles

176

There was submitted a report dated 1 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from a businessman to consider a proposal for "whole" vehicle advertising as an exception to the current policy for signage on taxis with particular reference to the permitted extent of advertising on the exterior of taxis.  The businessman was present and spoke to the Panel on his request.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to proceed with the proposal as an exception to the current policy and to consult with the Chairperson, Councillor McCormick and a Member of the Minority Groups on the details of the proposed design area available and to grant consent on suitable terms and conditions if the proposal were approved but to refer the matter for further consideration by the Panel if the approval were not forthcoming.

177

Application for Renewal of Late Hours Catering Licence - The Oasis, 2 Kilblain Street, Greenock

177

There was submitted a report dated 9 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Late Hours Catering Licence by Mehrdad Radmehr to allow the operation of a hot food takeaway between the hours of 11.00 pm and 12.30 am on Sundays to Thursdays and between 11.00 pm and 1.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays at the premises known as The Oasis, 2 Kilblain Street, Greenock following a letter of representation by the Chief Constable.  The Panel heard Superintendent Gordon, Mr Radmehr and his agent Mr A McIver in support of the application.

Decided:  that the application be granted on Sundays to Thursdays between 11.00 pm and 12.30 am and on Fridays and Saturdays between 11.00 pm and 1.00 am for the period of one year only.

178

Application for Private Hire Car Operator's Licence - David McKenna

178

There was submitted a report dated 6 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Private Hire Car Operator's Licence by David McKenna 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 Gordon and Mr McKenna.  Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the application be granted. As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 4 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

179

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Brian Dobbin

179

There was submitted a report dated 31 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Brian Dobbin 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 Gordon and Mr Dobbin.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

180

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Alistair Nimmo

180

There was submitted a report dated 1 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Alistair Nimmo 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 conviction.  The Panel heard Superintendent Gordon, Miss Somerville, agent for the applicant, and the applicant.  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, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

181

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Stephen Coyle

181

There was submitted a report dated 30 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Stephen Coyle 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 Gordon and Mr Coyle.  Following discussion, Councillor McCormick moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

182

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Alan Marrs

182

There was submitted a report dated 1 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Alan Marrs 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 Gordon and Mr Marrs.  Following discussion, Councillor McGraw moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor Rebecchi moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

183

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Peter McGugan

183

There was submitted a report dated 23 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Peter McGugan 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.

184

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Thomas Hemphill

184

There was submitted a report dated 9 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Thomas Hemphill 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.

185

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Richard McCartney

185

There was submitted a report dated 11 January 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Richard McCartney 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.

186

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Gerard Gillen

186

There was submitted a report dated 5 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Gerard Gillen 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 Gordon and Mr Gillen.

Councillor Rebecchi declared an interest and took no part in the deliberation or decision of this item.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

187

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - George Loossens

187

There was submitted a report dated 9 February 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by George Loossens 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.