Licensing and Registration Panel

Thursday 24 October 2002 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillor Rebecchi.

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

823

Taxi Fares Review

823

There was submitted a report dated 4 October 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the results of the statutory consultation exercise and subsequent action taken in respect of the taxi fares review.  The report advised that no objection or representation had been received in response to the consultation but noted that the dates on which Tariff 3 could be used should be corrected by the omission of 31 December.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to make the necessary arrangements to implement with effect from Sunday 17 November 2002 the new taxi fare scales as follows:-

TARIFF 1

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun

between 6 am and midnight

Initial charge (1,253 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 156 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

 £1.50

10p

£1.90

£1.20

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 (1,215 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 152 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.60

10p

£2.00

£1.20

TARIFF 3

Pre-booked hirings begun between midnight and 6 am

and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on 25 and

26 December and 1 and 2 January

Initial charge (1,215 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 135 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.80

10p

£2.30

£1.40

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

824

Licensing of Cinemas - Film Classification:  "Sweet Sixteen"

824

There was submitted a report dated 9 October 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services (1) on representations received by the Council as licensing authority regarding the grant of an "18" certificate by the British Board of Film Classification for the film "Sweet Sixteen" and (2) advising of the licensing authority's position on the matter.

Decided:  that the Panel would be of a mind to consider favourably an application from the licenceholder of the Waterfront Cinema, Greenock for the film "Sweet Sixteen" to be exhibited only to those aged 15 and over, as a very exceptional departure from its policy of abiding by certificates issued by the British Board of Film Classification, the application to be determined by the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the Chair, Substitute Chair and a Member of the Minority Groups of the Licensing and Registration Panel.

825

Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Cars - Requirements for Insurance

825

There was submitted a report dated 10 October 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association that the Council consider the requirement for taxis and private hire cars to have comprehensive insurance rather than third party, fire and theft insurance.  Mr Bagstad, Mr Dyer and Mr McKenzie of the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association were present and Mr Bagstad spoke on the matter.

(Councillor Blair left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that it be agreed to retain the requirement for comprehensive vehicle insurance for taxis and private hire cars.

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.

826

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  John James Tolan

826

There was submitted a report dated 30 September 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an application for a taxi driver's licence by John James Tolan 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 Cook, agent for the applicant, and Mr Tolan.

Decided:  that the application be granted.

827

Application for Taxi Driver's Licence:  David Gray

827

There was submitted a report dated 30 September 2002 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 conviction, consideration of which had been continued from the meeting held on 19 September 2002 to allow Mr Gray to attend the meeting.

The Panel heard Superintendent Gordon and Mr Gray.

Decided:  that the application be granted.