Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Mary-Jean Devon and Fred Hall.

None declared.

Members were advised that neither Taxi Operator had turned up for the hearing.  Mr Forrester, the Council’s Solicitor, advised that it had been confirmed that the paperwork for this hearing had been delivered by Sheriff Officers as instructed by the Committee at a previous meeting held on 22 May 2013.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting and reconvene later in the afternoon at the conclusion of all the other PPSL Committee meetings.

The Committee reconvened at 3.15 pm.

The Committee agreed to consider case in the absence of both Taxi Operators.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited the Council’s Solicitor to present the case which was before Members for consideration.

Mr Forrester advised that Taxi vehicle inspections were subject to annual inspection and only took place on receipt of the relevant fee.  He advised that Mr Shields and Mr Gibb were written to on three separate occasions requesting that the inspection fee be paid so that the annual inspection could be carried out and that no response to these letters had been received.

Mr Forrester advised that Members were invited to consider whether the taxi operator licence held by Mr Shields and Mr Gibb should be suspended using the powers contained in paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 taking into consideration the standard conditions attached to the licence and the possibility of the activity causing or being likely to cause undue public nuisance or a threat to the public order or public safety.

Decision

Agreed to immediately suspend the taxi operator licence held by Mr Shields and Mr Gibb for the unexpired portion of the duration of the licence as the condition of the licence has been contravened and is likely to cause a threat to public safety.

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