Licensing and Registration Panel

Wednesday 10 August 2005 at 3.30 pm

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

Also Present:  Councillor Robertson.

Chair:  Councillor Gallacher presided.

In attendance:  Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council).

Apologies:  Councillor Tucker.

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

563

Consultation Paper: Proposed Licensing of Taxis/Private Hire Car Booking Offices

563

There was submitted a report dated 25 July 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising that the Scottish Executive had issued a consultation paper seeking  views on a proposal to extend the requirement of licensing under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to booking offices (radio rooms) used to arrange journeys by taxi or private hire car. 

Decided:  that the Panel agree to support the proposal to license booking offices (radio rooms) used to arrange journeys by taxi and private hire car and that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to submit a response on the consultation paper, incorporating the Panel’s views.

564

Application for Temporary Public Entertainment Licence -

Greenock Cricket Club

564

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a temporary public entertainment licence from Greenock Cricket Club to allow a music festival to take place between the hours of 2 pm and 6 pm on 28 August 2005, within the grounds of Greenock Cricket Club.

Decided: 

(1)      that the application be granted; and  

(2)      that authority be delegated to the Solicitor to the Council in consultation with the Ward Councillor to determine future applications for a Temporary Public Entertainment Licence in respect of the premises at Glenpark, Brisbane Street, Greenock.

565

Taxi Fares Review

565

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the outcome of the informal consultation process for the annual review of taxi fares, namely, proposals submitted 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.  The Panel adjourned the meeting at 4 pm for discussion and resumed at 4.15 pm.

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

Decided:

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

TARIFF 1

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

Initial charge (1,154 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 143 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.70

10p

£2.10

£1.20

TARIFF 2

Hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings begun between midnight and 6am and all pre-booked hirings begun between 6am and 11pm

Initial charge (1,120 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 140 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£1.80

10p

£2.20

£1.20

TARIFF 3

Pre-booked hirings begun between 11pm and 6am and hirings from ranks or 'flag' hirings on 25 and 26 December, 1 and 2 January, 24 April (Spring holiday), 1 May (May Day), 1 July (Fair Saturday) and 4 September (Autumn holiday)

Initial charge (1,120 yards or part thereof)

Subsequent charge (each additional 124 yards or part thereof)

Approximate cost for first mile

Approximate cost for each additional mile

£2.00

10p

£2.50

£1.40

WAITING TIME

For each period of 31 seconds or part thereof

 10p

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 Solicitor to the Council to advertise these proposals in accordance with the statutory procedure and submit a further report on the result of the advertisement. 

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 the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item:-

Item  Paragraphs

Application for Licence for House in Multiple Occupation -                6, 8, & 9

Pol Stewart

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - William K McPherson               6

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence -  Martin J McFadyen                  6

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Ross J MacBean                      6

565(a)

Application for Licence for House in Multiple Occupation - Pol Stewart

565(a)

There was submitted a report dated 7 July 2005 by the Head of Legal Services on an application for a licence to operate a flat within 27 Ardgowan Square, Greenock as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) from Mr Pol Stewart.   The Panel heard Ms S White, agent for Mr & Mrs Brady, Ms Blue, Mrs Gaffney and Mrs Morrison, who had objected to the application.

Decided:  that the application be refused.

566

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - William K McPherson

566

(Councillors Moran and McCormick declared a personal interest in this item of business and left the meeting).

(Councillor Robertson entered the meeting at this juncture and agreed to act as a substitute for Councillor Moran for the purpose of this application).

There was submitted a report dated 22 July 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by William Kane McPherson 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 Inspector Paul and Sergeant  Barnes of Strathclyde Police, Mr Gallacher, agent for the applicant and the applicant.

(Councillor Robertson left the meeting at the conclusion of this item of business).

Decided:  that the application be refused.

567

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Martin J McFadyen

567

(Councillors McCormick and Moran re-entered the meeting at this juncture).

There was submitted a report dated 22 July 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Martin James McFadyen 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.  It was noted that the applicant was not present at the meeting.

Decided:   that the application be refused.

568

Application for Taxi Driver’s Licence - Ross J MacBean

568

There was submitted a report dated 20 July 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on an application for a taxi driver’s licence by Ross James MacBean 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 Inspector Paul and Mr MacBean. 

Following discussion, Councillor Snoddy moved that the application be granted.   As an amendment Councillor Nimmo moved that the application be refused.  On a vote 1 Member voted for the amendment and 4 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the application be granted.