Licensing Committee - 21/02/2011

At a MEETING of the LICENSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st February, 2011.

Present:-

Bailie Roderick A J WALLACE

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Roderick A J WALLACE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 3rd February, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982

(a) LICENSING OF TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE CAR BOOKING OFFICES - REQUEST FOR VARIATION

There was submitted copy letter dated 6th January, 2011 received from representatives of Dundee 505050 Ltd, Tay Taxis, Dundee Private Hire and Tele Taxis requesting variation to conditions of licensing of taxi and private hire car booking offices conditions. There was also submitted a letter of information dated 5th February, 2011 from the Chief Constable in relation to the application for variation. The Committee gave consideration to the content of both letters. Thereafter, having heard representatives on behalf of the applicants, a representative of the Chief Constable, the Clerk and consideration of the advice of the Legal Officer, the Committee agreed that the request for variation not be granted.

(b) TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE - SUSPENSION HEARING

Reference was made to Article III(d)(iv) of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 3rd February, 2011, wherein a hearing in relation to the conduct of Mr D D during the currency of his Taxi Driver's Licence was deferred to allow for confirmation to be received that the fixed penalty has been paid. The Committee received confirmation from the Clerk that Mr D D had now paid the outstanding smoking fixed penalty and Sheriff Officer costs incurred in pursuing payment and thereafter agreed that no further action be taken.

(c) TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE AND TAXI OPERATOR'S LICENCE

Reference was made to Article I(c)(i) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 13th January, 2011, wherein it was agreed that the Taxi Driver's Licence held by Mr J P be suspended with immediate effect. There was submitted a letter of complaint from the Chief Constable relative to the alleged conduct of Mr J P during the currency of his Taxi Driver's Licence and Taxi Operator's Licence. The Committee noted that the licence holder was not present and agreed that the matter be considered in their absence. Thereafter, having heard a representative of the Chief Constable and consideration of the advice of the Legal Officer, the Committee agreed that the Taxi Driver's Licence held by Mr J P continued to be suspended with immediate effect and that a further hearing be held on 12th May, 2011 in relation to the suitability of Mr J P to be the holder of a Taxi Driver's Licence and Taxi Operator's Licence.

Roderick A J WALLACE, Convener.