Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 9 August 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillor Calvert.

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

622

Application for Temporary Public Entertainment Licence -

Sea Trek, 17/18 August 2001, Ocean Terminal, Greenock

622

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to grant delegated authority to the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with other Officers to determine an application for a Temporary Public Entertainment Licence in connection with the Sea Trek event on 17 and 18 August 2001 and to impose such conditions as are considered appropriate.

Noted

623

Application for Public Entertainment Licence, Permit for Amusement with Prizes Machines and Permit for Commercial Provision of Amusements with Prizes - 29 West Blackhall Street, Greenock

623

There was submitted a report dated 27 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Temporary Public Entertainment Licence, Permit for Amusement with Prizes Machines and Permit for Commercial Provision of Amusements with Prizes by Global Gaming Corporation Ltd to allow the playing of amusements to take place between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm on Mondays to Saturdays at the premises at 29 West Blackhall Street, Greenock.  The Panel heard Mr Skinner, Advocate for the applicant, in support of these respective submissions and Mr Henderson, QC for Mr D Stewart, licenceholder of Stewarts Amusements, 21 West Stewart Street, Greenock and D & D Amusements, 14 Westburn Street, Greenock who  had objected to the application.

After hearing the submissions, the meeting was adjourned at 3.45 pm to allow the Panel to consider the matter in private.  Thereafter, the meeting was reconvened at 4.05 pm and the public were re-admitted.

Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (M) moved that the applications be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor McCormick moved that the applications be refused.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 4 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the applications for Public Entertainment Licence, Permit for Amusement with Prizes Machines and Permit for Commercial Provision of Amusements with Prizes be refused.

624

Application for Permit for Amusement with Prizes Machine -

Rico's Nightclub, 2 Ann Street, Greenock

624

There was submitted a report dated 29 June 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for an Amusement with Prizes Machine from ECR Ltd to operate one machine within the premises known as Rico's Nightclub, 2 Ann Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that consideration of the application be continued for information on the proposed siting of the machine.

625

Taxi Fares Review

625

There was submitted a report 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 from the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners' Association.  The Panel heard Mr Bagstad on behalf of the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners' Association.

Following discussion, Councillor Rebecchi moved that there be a 5% increase in all tariffs.  As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that there be an increase of 3.5%.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 4 for the amendment 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 (1,305 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 163 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

 £1.50

10p

£1.70

£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 (1,266 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 158 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 (1,266 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 141 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.80

10p

£2.10

£1.20

WAITING TIME

For each period of 35 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 in accordance with the statutory procedure and to submit a further report on the result of the advertisement.

626

Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation -

Proposed Standard Conditions

626

There was submitted a report dated 19 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on proposed standard conditions to be applied in the grant of a licence for a house in multiple occupation.

Decided:  that where a licence for a house in multiple occupation is granted under delegated authority by the Director of Legal & Support Services or by the Panel after a hearing, the licence be granted subject to the conditions set out in the amended Appendix to the report.

627

Application for Licence for House in Multiple Occupation -

4 Mearns Street, Greenock

627

Mr Douglas advised that this item had been withdrawn.

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.

628

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Stephen Docherty

628

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence by Stephen Docherty 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.

629

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - John Davis

629

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence by John Davis 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.

630

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Stephen Thomas McShane

630

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence by Stephen Thomas McShane 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.

631

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Prinnias Thomas McGhee

631

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence by Prinnias Thomas McGhee 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 Sweeney, agent for the applicant.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

632

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - David Mooney

632

There was submitted a report dated 18 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by David Mooney 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.

633

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Paul McDonald

633

There was submitted a report dated 10 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Paul McDonald 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 McDonald.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

634

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Peter Taylor McCafferty

634

There was submitted a report dated 17 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Peter Taylor McCafferty 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 and Mr McCafferty.

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 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

635

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - David Gray

635

There was submitted a report dated 16 July 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by David Gray 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 Gray.

Decided:  that the application be refused.