Agenda and minutes

Venue: By Microsoft Teams

Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel. No. 01546 604392 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gordon Blair, Audrey Forrest, George Freeman, Donald MacMillan BEM and Sandy Taylor.                                                                                             

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982: APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF TAXI CAR LICENCE (J MACINTYRE, OBAN)

Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  In line with recent legislation for Civic Government Hearings, the parties (and any representatives) were given the options for participating in the meeting today.  The options available were by video call, by audio call or by written submission.  For this hearing the Applicant opted to proceed by way of written submission which was contained within the Agenda pack circulated to the Committee, and the contents of this were summarised by the Council’s Solicitor, Mr McMillan.

 

The Chair then outlined the procedure that would be followed and in the absence of the Applicant, invited questions from Members.

 

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS AND DEBATE

 

Councillor McCuish sought and received confirmation from Mr McMillan that as this car had already been on the road before the Applicant decided not to renew, this could be considered like for like and not an additional car.  Mr McMillan explained that this was one of three licences that had lapsed during the renewal process in the summer and that on reflection Mr MacIntyre was now making a fresh application to replace his lapsed licence. 

 

Councillor McCuish commented that Mr MacIntyre was a well-known face on the taxi rank for many years and that he would have no hesitation in supporting this application.

 

Councillor Moffat questioned the need for questions. She said that this was a competent driver that would not be adding to the number of taxis and that it would be common sense to grant the licence.

 

Councillor Hardie confirmed that he agreed with Councillor Moffat.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh sought and received confirmation from Mr McMillan that at the time the taxi survey was carried out there were 52 taxis operating in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.  Since then three licences had lapsed, one was surrendered, and one was granted by the Committee in November 2021, which left a current total of 49 taxi licences.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh said this appeared to be straightforward given that if the Applicant had decided not to retire, the vehicle would have still been on the road and on that basis he would move that the licence be granted.  It was established that no one was otherwise minded.

 

DECISION

 

The Committee unanimously agreed to grant a Taxi Car Operator Licence to Mr MacIntyre.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support, submitted)