Licensing and Registration Panel

Wednesday 11 August 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors McCormick (M), McKenzie, Moran, Nimmo, Snoddy and Tucker.

Chair:  Councillor Snoddy presided.

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

Apologies: Councillor Gallacher.

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

       488

Application for Second Hand Dealer’s Licence: Graham Inglis

488

There was submitted a report dated 28 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application by Graham Inglis to allow him to trade in second hand cars at the premises at 1 Undercliffe Road, Wemyss Bay, the address being used as a trading address only.  Letters of objection to the application had been received and 2 of the objectors, Mrs Stirling and Mrs Hunter were present.  Councillor Forbes was present and was permitted to speak as Ward Councillor in relation to the application.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

   489

Application for Late Hours Catering Licence - Bongio’s, Main Street, Inverkip (Former Kip Lodge Premises)

489

It was noted that this item was withdrawn.

   490

Second Hand Dealer’s Licences - Blockbuster Entertainment Ltd

490

There was submitted a report dated 21 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising that a request had been received from Blockbuster Entertainments Ltd to extend the hours of trading permitted under the Second Hand Dealer’s Licences for the premises at 73 West Blackhall Street, Greenock and 59 Kempock Street, Gourock.

Decided: 

(1)   that the request from Blockbuster Entertainments Ltd be granted to allow the hours of trading under the Second Hand Dealer’s Licences for its premises in Greenock and Gourock to be extended from 8 pm until 10 pm; and

(2)   that it be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services after appropriate consultation, if necessary, to determine the trading hours for Second Hand Dealer’s and Metal Dealer’s Licences.

   491

Taxi Fares Review

491

There was submitted a report dated 27 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the outcome of the informal consultation process for the annual review of taxi fares, namely, proposals put forward by Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association with comments from officers on those proposals.  The Panel heard Mr Simpson of the Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association who advised that Appendix 3 to the report was incorrect and that Tariff 1 should be £2.00, Tariff 2 should be £2.10 and Tariff 3 should be £2.30 as the initial charges.  The Panel adjourned the meeting at 3.30 pm for discussion and resumed at 3.55 pm.

Decided:

(1)   that for the purposes of public consultation, the Council’s proposals for review of taxi fares be as follows:-

TARIFF 1

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun between 6am and midnight

Initial charge (1,215 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional  151 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.70

10p

10p

£1.90

£1.20

TARIFF 2

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun between midnight and 6am and all pre-booked hirings begun between 6am and midnight

Initial charge (1,179 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 147 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.80

10p

10p

£2.20

£1.20

TARIFF 3

Pre-booked hirings begun between midnight and 6am and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2January

Initial charge (1,179 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 131 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£2.00

10p

10p

£2.40

£1.30

WAITING TIME

For each period of 33 seconds or part thereof

10 p

SOILING CHARGE

Charge dependent on severity up to a maximum of

£30.00

VAT

The foregoing charges are inclusive of Value Added Tax; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to advertise these proposals in accordance with the statutory procedure and to submit a further report on the result of the advertisement.

   492

Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Cars - Comprehensive and Third Party Insurance

492

There was submitted a report dated 27 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association that the Council reconsider the requirement within its licence conditions for taxis and private hire cars that the licensed vehicle be covered by comprehensive insurance and replace it with a requirement that the insurance extend to Third Party only.  The Panel heard Mr Dyer of Lower Clyde Taxi Owners Association in support of the request.  The Panel adjourned the meeting at 4.10 pm for discussion and resumed at 4.25 pm. 

Decided:

(1)   that the requirement for vehicle insurance for taxis and private hire cars be changed from comprehensive cover to cover for Third Party only for applications for grant or renewal of licence made on and after 1 September 2004; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to submit a report on the age of vehicles licensed for use as 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.

   493

Application for Window Cleaner’s Licence: James Wilson

493

Councillor McCormick declared a non-financial interest by virtue of an established personal acquaintance and left the meeting.

There was submitted a report dated 9 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a Window Cleaner’s Licence by James Wilson 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 McGrath and Mr Wilson in support of the application.

Decided:  that the application be granted for one year.

Councillor McCormick returned to the meeting.

   494

Applications for Taxi Licence:

(a) Inverclyde Taxis Limited          (d) James Easdale

(b) Stuart Boyd                                (e) Anthony McKenzie

(c) Gail Easdale                               (f) Ian Ellis

494

There were submitted reports dated 22 July 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on applications for taxi licence on condition that the applicant detailed above operate a vehicle specially adapted for use by the disabled.  With the agreement by or on behalf of the applicants, the Panel heard Mr Lyons, Agent for all the applicants in support of their applications. 

Following discussion, Councillor Tucker moved that the applications be refused.  As an amendment Councillor Moran moved that the applications be granted.  On a vote one Member voted for the motion and five for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided: that the applications for taxi licences as above mentioned be granted subject to the Conditions detailed in the report.