Licensing and Registration Panel

Wednesday 10 March 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Hill (for Gallacher), McCormick (M), McKenzie, Forbes (for Nimmo), Snoddy and Blair (for Tucker).

Chair:  Councillor Snoddy presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Gallacher, Moran, Nimmo and Tucker.

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

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.

188

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence: Robert McCabe

188

There was submitted a report dated 23 February 2004 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Robert McCabe 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 McCabe.  Mr McCabe advised that his solicitor could not be present and requested that the hearing of his application be adjourned to the next meeting of the Panel on 14 April.

Decided:  that the hearing of the application be adjourned to the next meeting of the Panel on 14 April.

189

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence: John Cummings

189

There was submitted an application for a taxi driver’s licence by John Cummings following an objection by the Chief Constable that Mr Cummings 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 Cummings in support of his application. 

Decided:  that the application be refused.

190

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence: Graham Murray

190

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2004 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Graham Murray.  The report advised that in the course of processing Mr Murray’s application it was brought to the Council’s attention that Mr Murray appeared to be driving a taxi without a taxi driver’s licence and his application had been referred to the Panel for determination.  The Panel heard Mr Douglas on the report and Mr Murray in support of his application.  Following discussion Councillor Blair moved that the application be granted.  As an amendment Councillor McKenzie 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.

191

Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation : The Abbeyfield (Greenock) Society Ltd

191

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request from the Abbeyfield Society that the Council consider a waiver of fees required for the licensing of its premises at 7 The Esplanade and 9 Ardgowan Square, Greenock.  Following discussion Councillor Snoddy moved that in view of the services provided by the Society and its current financial position the outstanding fees in the sum of £800 be waived on the strict understanding that the fees for any renewal of licences must be paid when due.  As an amendment Councillor McKenzie moved that the fees be paid in total in instalments to be agreed by the Director of Legal and Support Services, if requested.  On a vote 1 member voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that in view of the services provided by the Society and its current financial position the sum of £800 outstanding in respect of the application fees owed by the Abbeyfield (Greenock) Society Ltd be waived on the strict understanding that the fees for any renewal of licences must be paid when due.