Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillor Fred Hall.

None declared.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. 

 

Mrs MacFadyen advised that notification had been received from the Applicant advising that he was unable to attend the Hearing today.  She circulated a copy of an email received from the Applicant which explained why it was not possible for him to attend.  Mrs MacFadyen confirmed that the Applicant had asked that his Application be considered on the basis of the details provided in his email.

 

Councillor Currie referred to the costs incurred by Applicants having to attend these Hearings, especially if they are from the islands, and asked if it would be possible to look at introducing a new procedure for these Hearings whereby Applicants could choose to submit written representations or attend via Video Conferencing.  Mr Jackson confirmed that he would raise this issue with the Head of Governance and Law to see if there was an opportunity to conduct these Hearings in this way.

 

The Chair then invited Inspector Watson to speak in support of Strathclyde Police’s observation.

 

Police

 

Inspector Watson confirmed that Strathclyde Police had no objection to this Application and that the gentleman had obviously made a mistake as explained in the email circulated to Members.

 

The Chair then invited Members to ask questions.

 

Members’ Questions

 

Councillor MacDougall advised that it was difficult sometimes to know what the speed limits were on certain parts of roads.

 

Councillor Freeman advised that the location where the Applicant incurred a speeding fine had street lights and that according to the Highway Code a 30 mph speed limit would apply unless otherwise stated.

 

Inspector Watson advised that this was correct and confirmed that at all entrance points into Lochgilphead there were 30 mph speed limit signs.

 

Councillor Freeman advised that he had no other concerns in respect of this Application and that the licence should be granted.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh referred to the Applicant advising that the license would only be used occasionally to cover sick and holiday leave and asked if this was an appropriate use of the licence.  Mrs MacFadyen advised that there would be no problem with using the licence in this way.

 

The Chair invited Inspector Watson to sum up.

 

Summing Up

 

Police

 

Inspector Watson confirmed that Strathclyde Police had no objection to this Application being granted assuming that the Applicant would adhere to the taxi licence conditions.  He advised that the Applicant has only been driving for about 4 years and that he could not afford to make many more mistakes like this.

 

Decision

 

Agreed to grant a Taxi Driver’s Licence to Mr Gillespie.

 

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