Agenda and minutes

 

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

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He then outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Applicant to speak in support of his application.

 

Applicant

 

Mr Coulson referred to failing to advise of his previous convictions on his application form and stated that this was a mistake on his part as he had misread the application form.  He then referred to his convictions and provided further information on these.  He advised that he was a postman and also a volunteered with the coastguard and was used to a lot of driving.

 

As the Police had no questions the Chair invited Inspector MacNicol to speak in support of the Chief Constable’s representation.

 

Police

 

Sergeant MacNicol read out the contents of the Chief Constable’s letter which provided details of convictions the Applicant had failed to disclose on his application form.

 

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

 

Members’ Questions

 

Councillor Robert MacIntyre asked how often Mr Coulson intended driving a taxi.  Mr Coulson confirmed that he was a full time post man and volunteered for the coastguard.  He stated that he was applying for a taxi driver licence in order to help out a colleague and that he did not expect to be driving more than 2 days per week.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh received confirmation that Mr Coulson had misread the application form which led to four previous convictions not being listed.

 

Summing Up

 

Police

 

Sergeant MacNicol referred to Mr Coulson’s failure to disclose his previous convictions on his application form and noted the reason for this.  He stated that the offences did occur and it was for the Committee to determine whether or not they considered Mr Coulson a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver licence.

 

Applicant

 

Mr Coulson advised that he had nothing further to add.

 

The Chair asked both parties to confirm if they had received a fair hearing and they both confirmed this to be the case.

 

Debate

 

Councillor McNaughton recommended that the application be granted.

 

Councillor Freeman stated that Mr Coulson had committed no offences in the past 12 years with the exception of a speeding conviction and that he was minded to grant the application.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh noted Mr Coulson’s employment and volunteer work and stated that he was happy to grant this application.

 

Decision

 

It was unanimously agreed to grant a Taxi Driver Licence to Mr Coulson.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Governance and Law, submitted)