Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 1 November 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Campbell (for McGraw), Hunter (for Calvert), Jackson (for McCormick), Morrison (D), Morrison (M) and Nimmo.

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

In attendance:  Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services) and Mr A Bruce (for Head of Transportation & Roads Service).

Apologies:  Councillors Calvert, McCormick and McGraw.

With the exception of the decision marked 'C' which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Panel.

938

Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965

Unification of Registration Districts

938

There was submitted a report dated 23 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to obtain approval for the submission of a scheme for the unification of the registration districts of Greenock and Port Glasgow into one registration district and to grant delegated authority to the Directors of Legal & Support Services and Community & Protective Services to take all necessary action in connection with the submission, publication and implementation of the scheme.

Noted

939

Proposed Taxi Rank at the A78 Dunlop Street/Inverkip Road Roundabout, Greenock

939

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2001, together with a supplementary report dated 22 October 2001, by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a proposal to designate a new taxi stance at the A78 Dunlop Street/Inverkip Road Roundabout, Greenock as a replacement for an existing stance at Dunlop Street, together with letters of representation relative thereto.

Decided:

(1)   that no action be taken on the proposed designation of a new taxi stance at the A78 Dunlop Street/Inverkip Road Roundabout, Greenock;  and

(2)   that the designation of the existing taxi stance at Dunlop Street, Greenock be revoked.

940

Advertising on Taxis

940

There was submitted a report dated 12 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services requesting the Panel to consider reviewing its existing policy for commercial advertisement signage on taxis, with particular regard to the acceptability of advertising certain goods or premises on taxis licensed by the Council.

Decided:

(1)   that the Panel agree to incorporate permission to display commercial advertisement signage based on a whole vehicle/full livery design as part of the policy on signage for taxis;  and

(2)   that the Panel agree to adopt the policy set out in the Appendix to the report as part of its policy on advertising on taxis, including a prohibition on the advertising or promotion of the sale of alcohol and tobacco products.

941

Application for Taxi Licence - Jean Campbell

941

There was submitted a report dated 2 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the grant of a taxi licence to Mrs Campbell who had omitted to make timeous application for her licence to be renewed before it expired.

Noted

942

Application for Taxi Licence - Kay McFarlane

942

There was submitted a report dated 22 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the grant of a taxi licence to Mrs McFarlane who had omitted to make timeous application for her licence to be renewed before it expired.

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.

943

Houses in Multiple Occupation

The Abbeyfield Society

943

There was submitted a report dated 2 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from The Abbeyfield Society that the Council consider a waiver of the fees required for the licensing of its premises at 7 The Esplanade and 9 Ardgowan Square, Greenock as Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Following discussion, Councillor Morrison (D) moved that no action be taken on the request for a waiver of the fees.  As an amendment, Councillor Campbell moved that consideration of the request be continued pending a decision by the Scottish Executive following its review of the House in Multiple Occupation legislation.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 3 for the motion.  There being equality in voting, the Chairman exercised his casting vote in favour of the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted for the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.É

C

Decided:  that no action be taken on the request for a waiver of the fees.

C

944

Request for Suspension of Taxi Licence - Cathal P McGhee

944

There was submitted a report dated 15 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services requesting the Panel to consider suspension of the taxi licence held by Cathal P McGhee on the grounds that he was not a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence as he had operated or permitted operation of a vehicle as a private hire car while it was not safe for use for the carriage of passengers.

Decided:  that the taxi licence held by Cathal P McGhee be suspended with immediate effect for a period of 14 days.

945

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Barry Cannon

945

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver's licence by Barry Cannon 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 Inspector Morell and Mr Cannon in support of his application.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

946

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Arthur Nash

946

There was submitted a report dated 15 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver's licence by Arthur Nash 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.

947

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Andrew Shields

947

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2001 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 Morell and Mr Shields.

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, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

Councillor Morrison (M) left the meeting at this juncture.

948

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - Patrick Henry Cannon

948

There was submitted a report dated 18 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver's licence by Patrick Henry Cannon 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 Morell and Ms Land, agent for the applicant.

Following discussion, Councillor Campbell moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be refused.  On a vote, 1 Member voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

949

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence - John O'Connor

949

There was submitted a report dated 17 September 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver's licence by John O'Connor following the outcome of the medical examination of Mr O'Connor.  The Panel heard Mr O'Connor in support of his application.

Decided:  that the application be granted.