Agenda and minutes

 

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Gordon Blair, Mary-Jean Devon and Alistair MacDougall.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 14 and 15 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He referred to a late letter of representation received from Police Scotland and invited Sergeant MacNicol to explain why the letter had been submitted late.

 

Sergeant MacNicol explained that the representation was submitted late due to enquiries that had to be made into a complaint they had received about the Applicant.

 

The Committee agreed to take the late representation received from Police Scotland into consideration.

 

The Chair then outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Applicant to speak in support of his application.

 

Applicant

 

Mr Chattington advised of his reasons for applying for a Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence.  He explained that he has been a taxi driver in Dunoon for sometime and that he has seen a lot of things that could be done to improve the service currently offered to customers.  He stated that he was more than qualified to offer this service and advised that he would not be taking work away from the taxi rank as his customers would contact him by email, telephone and through his website.  He said that he had advised via Facebook of his intentions to set up a Private Hire Car business and confirmed that he had received a lot of support.  He stated that his main aim was to offer a quality service in Dunoon and advised that he was sure the taxi drivers in Dunoon would ensure that he was abiding by all the rules and regulations.  He advised that Dunoon deserved this service and that he was the right person to provide it.  He referred to concerns raised about price wars and stated that his fares would be the same as the taxi drivers.  He added that two taxi companies had indicated their wish to work with him.  He also referred to interest from professional photographers, wedding planners etc.  He stated that he believed that he would be able to bring more business into Dunoon.

 

As the Police had no questions the Chair invited Inspector MacNicol to speak in support of their representation.

 

Police

 

Sergeant MacNicol read out the contents of a letter of representation submitted by the Police.  The letter referred to a complaint they had received about Mr Chattington and the subsequent investigation into this complaint. 

 

As Mr Chattington had no questions the Chair invited the Members to ask questions.

 

Members’ Questions

 

Councillor Neil MacIntyre asked why the female had made a complaint if she was not bothered by what had happened.  Sergeant MacNicol explained that sometimes people just want the Police to be made aware rather than to make an official complaint.

 

Councillor Freeman sought clarification on whether or not the Chief Constable considered the Applicant to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.  Sergeant MacNicol advised that the Police were not objecting to the application as there had been no conviction.  However  there was a question over the Applicant’s conduct and they wished to make the Committee aware of the circumstances.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh sought and received clarification that even although the letter had been downgraded from an objection to a representation there was a still a question over whether or not the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

 

Councillor Robert MacIntyre referred to comments made in the letter of representation regarding inaccuracies in information received from third parties and asked what these inaccuracies were.  Sergeant MacNicol advised that he could not advise of the exact details of these.

 

Councillor Currie asked the Police how they could question the Applicant’s conduct if they did not know what his conduct was.  Sergeant MacNicol stated that they did know what had happened and that the Applicant had admitted that.  He advised that the initial report was made by the female and that she did not wish to make a formal complaint and go to court.

 

Councillor Colville received a detailed account of what had happened from Mr Chattington.  He indicated that what had started out as a private conversation had ended up spiralling out of control and advised that he could guarantee that this would never happen again.  He advised that what had happened had nothing to do with his taxi work.

 

Councillor Trail sought and received clarification from Mr Chattington that he had been driving taxis for around 2 years.  Mr Chattington acknowledged the concerns that the Committee may have regarding his conduct and stated that he could give 100% assurance that nothing like this would ever happen again.

 

Councillor McCuish sought and received clarification from Sergeant MacNicol that the Police had completed their enquiries into this case. 

 

Councillor McCuish asked if there had been any sign of the female being forced or under duress to approach the Police.  Sergeant MacNicol advised that they could understand that she was maybe persuaded to come to the Police but she was not forcibly marched into the station.

 

Councillor Neil MacIntyre sought and received confirmation from Mr Chattington that what had happened would never happen again.  He confirmed that he would keep detailed recordings of all bookings made and that the Council and Police would have access to his records at any time if these were requested.

 

Councillor Colville sought and received an explanation from Mr Reppke as to what “Executive Hire” meant which had been mentioned in a letter of objection .

 

Councillor Kinniburgh sought and received confirmation from Mr Chattington that he currently drove taxis and held a taxi driver licence.  He stated that no complaints about him had been made to his employer.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh pointed out that Mr Chattington had not declared that he held a taxi driver licence on his application form and Mr Chattington advised that this was an oversight on his part.

 

Summing Up

 

Police

 

Sergeant MacNicol advised that the Police had concerns regarding the conduct of Mr Chattington in respect of an incident which had taken place in July this year.  He expressed his concerns that Mr Chattington had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.