Licensing Sub-committee - 11/01/2024

At a MEETING of the LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE held remotely on 11th January, 2024.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The Sub-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 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982

(a) TAXI DRIVER - SUSPENSION HEARINGS

Reference was made to Article VII(e) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 2nd November, 2023, wherein it was agreed to hold a suspension hearing in relation to the alleged conduct of G P during the currency of their Taxi Drivers Licence. The Sub-Committee noted that G P was not present and agreed to consider the matter in their absence. The Sub-Committee noted that a letter of information had been received from the Chief Constable. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the letter. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Officer, the Sub‑Committee agreed to adjourn consideration of the hearing to the meeting of this Sub-Committee to be held on 28th March, 2024, to await the outcome of court proceedings.

Reference was made to Article XI(g) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7th December, 2023, wherein it was agreed to hold a suspension hearing in relation to the alleged conduct of A Q during the currency of their Taxi Driver's Licence. The Sub-Committee noted that a letter of information had been received from the Chief Constable. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the letter. The Sub-Committee noted that a written submission had been received from A Q. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the written submission. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Officer, a representative of the Chief Constable and an agent on behalf of A Q, the Sub-Committee agreed to issue a warning with regards to the future conduct of A Q during the currency of their Taxi Drivers Licence.

Reference was made to Article XI(g) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7th December, 2023, wherein it was agreed to hold a suspension hearing in relation to the alleged conduct of R T during the currency of their Taxi Driver's Licence. The Sub-Committee noted that R T was not present and agreed to consider the matter in their absence. The Sub-Committee noted that a

letter of information had been received from the Chief Constable. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the letter. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Officer, the Sub‑Committee agreed to adjourn consideration of the hearing to the meeting of this Sub-Committee to be held on 28th March, 2024 to await the outcome of court proceedings.

Reference was made to Article II(a) of the minute of meeting of this Sub-Committee held on 5th October, 2023, wherein it was agreed to adjourn consideration of the hearing to allow W V to be in attendance. The Sub-Committee noted that W V was not present and agreed to consider the matter in their absence. The Sub-Committee noted that a letter of information had been received from the Chief Constable. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the letter. The Sub-Committee noted that a written submission had been received from W V. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the written submission. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Officer and a representative of the Chief Constable, the Sub-Committee agreed to issue a warning with regards to the future conduct of W V during the currency of their Taxi Drivers Licence.

(b) TAXI DRIVER AND OPERATOR - SUSPENSION HEARING

Reference was made to Article XI(h) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7th December, 2023, wherein it was agreed to hold a suspension hearing in relation to the alleged conduct of Q H during the currency of their Taxi Driver's and Taxi Operators Licences. The Sub‑Committee noted that a letter of information had been received from a Licensing Standards Officer. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the letter. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Officer, a Licensing Standards Officer and Q H, the Sub-Committee agreed to issue a warning with regards to the future conduct of Q H during the currency of their Taxi Drivers and Taxi Operators Licences.

(c) TAXI OPERATOR - SUSPENSION HEARING

Reference was made to Article XI(i) of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 7th December, 2023, wherein it was agreed to hold a suspension hearing in relation to the alleged conduct of Company T during the currency of their Taxi Operators Licence. The Sub-Committee noted that a report had been received from the Fleet Manager. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the content of the report. The Sub-Committee noted that written submissions had been received from the Fleet Manager and Company T. The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the written submissions. Thereafter, having heard from the Legal Manager, the Fleet Manager and a representative from Company T, the Sub-Committee agreed to issue a warning with regards to the future conduct of Company T for the currency of their Taxi Operators Licence and to recall this matter to a meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee in six months for an update.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.