Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gordon Blair, Robin Currie, Audrey Forrest, George Freeman, Graham Archibald Hardie, Roderick McCuish and Jean Moffat.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 14 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  He then outlined the procedure that would be followed and, in the absence of Police Scotland, invited the Licence Holder’s Solicitor to speak in support of his client’s licence.

LICENCE HOLDER

Mr Thornton spoke in support of his client’s licence.

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

The Members were given the opportunity to ask the Licence Holder and his Solicitor questions.

SUMMING UP

Licence Holder

Mr Thornton summed up his client’s case and confirmed that they had received a fair hearing.

DEBATE

The Members debated the request to suspend the Taxi Driver Licence.

DECISION

The Committee agreed:

1.    to continue determination of this matter until the outcome of the legal proceedings was known; and

2.    that the Taxi Driver’s Licence be reinstated to the Licence Holder immediately.

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