Licensing and Registration Panel

Wednesday 18 May 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Snoddy presided.

In attendance:  Mr G Douglas (for Head of Legal Services).

Apologies:  Councillor Gallacher.

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

470

Application for Taxi Licence - Patrick Cannon

470

There was submitted a report dated 13 April 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi licence by Patrick Cannon.  Mr Cannon had omitted to make timeous application for his licence to be renewed before it expired and it had been agreed to authorise the grant of a taxi licence to Mr Cannon by way of delegated powers for use between Committees.

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 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.

471

HMO - Teen Challenge

471

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising that Teen Challenge (Strathclyde) Limited had applied for a licence to operate premises at The Haven, Horsecraigs, Kilmacolm as a house in multiple occupation.  The report advised of the unresolved issue between the Council and the applicants which related to the management of the premises and in particular the form of tenancy agreement/licence.  The Panel heard Mr Douglas and Mr Rice for the Council and Mr Beasley and Ms Stuart, agent on behalf of the applicants.

Following discussion, Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be granted for one year subject to an additional condition to the licence that the documentation relating to management of the premises be resolved within 3 months. 

As an amendment Councillor McKenzie moved that the application be refused. 

On a vote 2 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the licence be granted for the period of one year, subject to the standard conditions and an additional condition that the documentation relating to management of the premises be resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Head of Legal Services no later than 3 months from the date of the licence, the documentation to be capable of further adjustment to meet any requirements of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care provided the Head of Legal Services is satisfied as to their terms.÷

472

Survey on Additional Taxi Licences

472

There was submitted a report dated 6 May 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the result of the survey carried out advising of the extent of the taxi service being provided by the adapted vehicles for disabled passengers.

Decided:  that in light of the survey carried out the demand for taxi services for the disabled had not yet been met by the issue to date of taxi licences for specially adapted vehicles.

473

Application for Taxi Licence:  John Murdoch

473

Councillor McCormick (M) declared a non-financial interest by virtue of personal acquaintance with the applicant and left the meeting.

There was submitted a report dated 25 April 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi licence by John Murdoch to make available to the public a vehicle specially adapted for use by the disabled.

The Panel heard Mr Murdoch in support of his application.

Decided:  that the application be granted to allow Mr Murdoch to operate a vehicle specially adapted as a taxi suitable for disabled persons, subject to the Council’s standard conditions and the special conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

474

Licensing of Limousines

474

Councillor McCormick returned to the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on the licensing requirements relating to the hire of limousines and similar vehicles by the public.

Decided:  that the legal position as stated in the report be noted and that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to invite, through firms offering limousines and similar vehicles for hire, applications for a taxi driver’s licence for the drivers of those vehicles as a first stage in licensing this activity.

475

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence:  David Mooney

475

There was submitted a report dated 22 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by David Mooney following an adverse report by the Council’s Medical Adviser.

Decided:  that the application be refused.