Licensing and Registration Panel

Monday 17 June 2002 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

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

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

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

533

Application for Taxi Operator's Licence:  Thomas Harwood

533

There was submitted a report 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 Thomas Harwood who had omitted to make timeous application of his licence to be renewed before it expired.

Noted

534

Approval of Vehicles Adapted for the Disabled

534

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the operation of the policy for approving vehicles adapted for the disabled and to clarify the Council's position as Licensing Authority in this regard.

Decided:

(1)   that the current position with the approval of vehicles adapted for the physically disabled be noted;  and

(2)   that it be confirmed, for the avoidance of doubt, that such approval of vehicles specially adapted for the physically disabled is not limited by the Council's vehicle guidelines applying to saloons and estate cars.

535

Application for Street Trader's Licence:  Ian Tannock

535

There was submitted a report dated 13 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application by Mr Ian Tannock for a Street Trader's Licence to allow him to trade at Kilmacolm Road, Greenock.  The Head of Transportation & Roads Service advised that he considered the proposed site as unsuitable.  It was noted that the applicant did not wish to pursue the matter further.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

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.

536

Request for Suspension of Private Hire Car Licence:  Mark J Brown

536

There was submitted a report dated 21 May 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services requesting the Panel to consider the suspension of the Private Hire Car Licence held by Mark J Brown.  The Panel heard Mr Ian Smith, Taxi Inspector for Inverclyde Council, and Mr Brown.

Decided:  that the Private Hire Car Licence held by Mr Brown (Plate No 58) be suspended with immediate effect until 31 July 2002.

537

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  James Gorry

537

There was submitted a report dated 6 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by James Gorry 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, Mr Sweeney, agent for the applicant, and the applicant.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

538

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Robert Miller

538

There was submitted a report dated 24 May 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.  The Panel heard Superintendent Gordon and Mr Miller.   After discussion Councillor Morrison (D) moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment Councillor Rebecchi moved that the application be refused.  On a vote 2 Members voted for the amendment and 2 for the motion, and the Chairman having given his casting vote in favour of the motion, the application was granted.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

539

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Kevin Kane

539

There was submitted a report dated 6 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support  Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Kevin Kane following a letter of representation from the Chief Constable.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

540

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  Brian Aitken

540

There was submitted a report dated 6 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a Taxi Driver's Licence by Brian Aitken following the applicant's failure to arrange payment of the application fee.

Decided:  that the application be refused.