Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 4 April 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Calvert, McGraw, Morrison (D), Nimmo and McGhee (for McCormick).

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors McCormick, Morrison (M) and Rebecchi.

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

307

Vehicle Guidelines

307

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services requesting the Panel to consider reviewing its vehicle guidelines to take account of two recent technical changes:- (a) the availability of liquid petroleum gas as an economic alternative/addition to the conventional fuels of diesel and petrol and (b) the availability of a space-saver spare wheel in place of a conventional spare wheel to relieve pressure on a vehicle's boot capacity.

Decided:

(1)   that the use of liquid petroleum gas as an alternative source of fuel for vehicles licensed as taxis and private hire cars be approved subject to the condition that the installation is considered safe in a particular vehicle and carried out by an approved liquid petroleum gas installer;

(2)   that the approval extend to include saloon cars and estate cars only;

(3)   that a conventional design spare wheel must be carried at all times;  and

(4)   that the requirement of 16 cu ft as luggage capacity in a licensed vehicle be maintained.

308

Advertising Within Taxis and Private Hire Cars

308

There was submitted a report dated 13 March 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request that the Council consider permitting commercial advertisements on headrests within taxis and private hire cars.

Decided:  that consent be granted for advertising on the headrests of taxis and vehicles licensed for private hire subject to such terms and conditions as considered appropriate by the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with other officers including compliance with the Council's policy governing the content of advertisements as set out in para 2.3 of the report.

309

Signage on Private Hire Vehicles

309

Arising from the previous item, discussion took place on the possible difficulties encountered by the public in identifying vehicles licensed for private hire.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to submit a report on options for exterior signage to be permitted on private hire vehicles.

310

Application for Taxi Operator's Licence:  Frederick Hunter

310

There was submitted a report dated 22 March 2002 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 Mr Frederick Hunter who had omitted to make timeous application for his 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.

311

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Robert Miller

311

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Robert Miller 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.

312

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Frank Ronald Smith

312

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Frank Ronald Smith 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 Smith.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

313

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Gerald John Quigg

313

There was submitted a report dated 28 February 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Gerald John Quigg 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 MrÌ Quigg.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

314

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Brian Dobbin

314

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2002 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.  Mr Dobbin was present at the meeting but his Solicitor could not attend due to another commitment at the Sheriff Court.

Decided:  that consideration of the application be continued to the next meeting of the Panel to allow Mr Dobbin's Solicitor to be present.