Councillors Hughes, McDonald, Mullin and Steel.

There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements 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 items 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 paragraphs 3 and 6 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 Operators’ Licences. The licence holder had been asked to appear personally for the first time together with Renfrewshire Council’s Interim Chief Auditor and Police Scotland:-

Licence holder: Paisley Cab Co. Ltd.
Licence Nos.: 162 licences as detailed in Appendix 1

The Board considered the possible suspension or revocation of the undernoted Taxi Operator’s Licence. The licence holder had been asked to appear personally for the first time together with Renfrewshire Council’s Interim Chief Auditor and Police Scotland:-

Licence holder: Paisley Cab Co. Ltd.
Licence No.: TX 229

The Board considered the possible suspension or revocation of the undernoted Booking Office Licence. The licence holder had been asked to appear personally for the first time together with Renfrewshire Council’s Interim Chief Auditor and Police Scotland:-

Licence holder: Paisley Cab Co. Ltd.
Licence No.: BO 003

There were submitted the undernoted applications for change of vehicles. The applicant had been asked to appear personally for the first time together with Renfrewshire Council’s Interim Chief Auditor:-

Licence holder: Paisley Cab Co. Ltd.
Licence Nos.: 19 licences detailed in Appendix 2 

Mr Malcolm and Ms Bryson, on behalf of the applicant, and their legal representatives, Ms McCracken, Solicitor, Mr Mackie, Advocate and Mr Stewart, KC were invited into the meeting together with Ms Carpenter, on behalf of the Council’s Interim Chief Auditor and Sergeant Robertson, Police Scotland.

The Convener proposed that items 1, 2, 3 and 4 be considered together but that separate decisions be made. This was agreed unanimously.

Mr Stewart advised that his client wished to withdraw the 19 applications for change of vehicles.

After consideration of all matters before the Board, in relation to all licences and applications, the Board adjourned to allow members to consider all licences and applications. The meeting was reconvened and the Managing Solicitor (Licensing) asked Mr Stewart if he wished to address the Board on any action the Board might impose prior to any motions being made in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of all licences and to clarify whether his client would be prepared to give an undertaking to the Board that the 11 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences which previously had been immediately suspended would not be operated for hire and reward until the testing of these vehicles to the Council’s entire satisfaction. 

Following Mr Stewart’s submission and clarification that his client would give such an undertaking to the Board that the 11 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences which previously had been immediately suspended would not be operated for hire and reward until the testing of these vehicles and production of suitable insurance to the Council’s entire satisfaction were evidenced to the Council, the Convener proposed (a) that no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of the 162 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences as detailed in Appendix 1 to this Minute, noting the undertaking given that the 11 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences which previously had been immediately suspended would not be operated for hire and reward until the testing of these vehicles and production of suitable insurance to the Council’s entire satisfaction were evidenced to the Council; (b) that no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of Taxi Operator’s Licence TX229; (c) that no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of Booking Office Licence BO 003; and (d) that it be noted that the 19 applications for change of vehicles detailed in Appendix 2 to this Minute had been withdrawn. This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:

(a) That no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of the 162 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences as detailed in Appendix 1 to this Minute, noting the undertaking given that the 11 Private Hire Car Operators’ Licences which previously had been immediately suspended would not be operated for hire and reward until the testing of these vehicles and production of suitable insurance to the Council’s entire satisfaction were evidenced to the Council; 

(b) That no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of Taxi Operator’s Licence TX229;

(c) That no action be taken in relation to the possible suspension or revocation of Booking Office Licence BO 003; and 

(d) That it be noted that the 19 applications for change of vehicles detailed in Appendix 2 to this Minute had been withdrawn