Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Neil MacIntyre declared a non financial interest in this case as family members are involved in the taxi business in the Oban area.  He left the room and took no part in the consideration of this Hearing.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He then invited the Head of Governance and Law to read out the procedure that would be followed.

Police

Sergeant Ferguson, on behalf of the Licensing Section of Police Scotland, read out a letter from the Chief Constable dated 6 March 2015 which requested the immediate suspension of Mr Brown’s Taxi Driver Licence as the Chief Constable considered Mr Brown to no longer be a fit and proper person to be the holder of the licence as he had recently been convicted of drink driving, received a fine and had been disqualified from driving for three years.

Mr Brown confirmed he had no questions.

Licence Holder

Mr Brown stated that he did not deny he drove his car. He advised that he was not driving when approach by the Police and confirmed that the Police had come to his door.  He indicated that he was not on taxi duty at the time and acknowledged that it had been a stupid thing to do.

Sergeant Ferguson confirmed he had no questions.

Members’ Questions

Councillor Freeman asked Mr Brown if he agreed that he had been disqualified from driving for three years would not be able to drive.

Mr Brown confirmed that he did not contest that.

Summing Up

Police

Sergeant Ferguson confirmed he had nothing further to say.  He advised that the letter was self explanatory and that Mr Brown had been caught and the Chief Constable considered him not to be a fit and proper person to be the holder of a Taxi Driver Licence.

Licence Holder

Mr Brown confirmed that he was not contesting the suspension of his Taxi Driver Licence.

When asked both parties confirmed that they had received a fair hearing.

Decision

The Committee agreed to suspend Mr Brown’s Taxi Driver Licence immediately for the unexpired portion of the duration of the Licence as he was not a fit and proper person to be the holder of the Licence.

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