Councillor Hood, Convener, presided.

D Campbell, Assistant Managing Solicitor (Licensing), A McLaughlin, Senior Solicitor, E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer, K Whiteside, Licensing Officer (Paralegal) and G McIntosh, Civic Government Enforcement Officer (all Finance & Resources).

Councillors B Brown, M Devine and Mylet.

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

The Board resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part I of schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Board considered the possible suspension or revocation of the undernoted Private Hire Car Licence and Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence.  The licence holder had been asked to appear personally for the first time together with Police Scotland:-

Moin Ulah Qureshi, 23 Hunterhill Road, Paisley – PH1503 and P4908

There was no appearance by or on behalf of Mr Qureshi.  Inspector Kirkwood, Sergeant Curran and Detective Chief Inspector Henderson, on behalf of the Chief Constable, were invited into the meeting.  The Convener proposed that the hearings into the possible suspension or revocation of the licences be considered in Mr Qureshi’s absence and this was agreed unanimously.

The Convener proposed that both hearings into the possible suspension or revocation of Mr Qureshi’s licences be taken together with Police Scotland making one submission to the Board with separate decisions being taken.  This was agreed.

After consideration of all matters before the Board, the Board adjourned to allow members to consider matters.  The meeting was reconvened and the Convener proposed that Mr Qureshi’s Private Hire Car Licence be suspended for the unexpired portion of the duration of the licence with immediate effect.  This was agreed unanimously.  The Convener further proposed that Mr Qureshi’s Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence be suspended for the unexpired portion of the duration of the licence with immediate effect.  This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED: 

(a) That Mr Qureshi’s Private Hire Car Licence be suspended for the unexpired portion of the duration of the licence with immediate effect; and

(b) That Mr Qureshi’s Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence be suspended for the unexpired portion of the duration of the licence with immediate effect.