Agenda and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found at:-

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=3478&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Committee had before it the minute of its meeting of 27 January 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the minute of the Licensing Urgent Business Sub Committee meeting of 10 February 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the minutes of the Evidential Hearing Sub Committee meetings of 12 January and 10 February 2015.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the minutes.

The Committee had before it, for its consideration, the applications listed in Appendix A to this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

that all applications be determined on the basis shown in Appendix A and that all licences are subject to the Council’s standard conditions unless otherwise stated.

The Committee had before it a report by the acting Director of Corporate Governance which (1) proposed the level of application fees for licences administered through Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and other miscellaneous statutes; and (2) sought to obtain approval for the fees to come into effect on 1 April, 2015.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee maintains fees at their current level and approves the fees set out in appendices 1 and 2B of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the acting Director of Corporate Governance which provided information in relation to the requirement to undertake a review of taxi fares and surcharges and provided details on taxi costs to allow the Committee to put forward a proposal on fares and surcharges.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee considers the report and any representations made by the trade and –

(a)       agrees to maintain the basic tariff and surcharges at their current levels;

(b)       instructs officers to meet with trade representatives to explore the restructure of tariff charges and report back to the Committee thereafter;

(c)        agrees to add a £1 surcharge for non-airport zoned taxis dropping off at the inner forecourt of the airport;

(d)       instructs officers to amend the fare card at surcharge 5 to reflect the holiday dates for 2016 and 2017; and

(e)       instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to advertise the general effect of the proposals and the date when it is proposed that they will take effect.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a report by the acting Director of Corporate Governance which outlined the procedures for analysis of taxi marshal data to fulfil the recommendations in the Survey on Unmet Taxi Demand and to inform the Committee of the outcome of discussions with the Taxi Consultation Group.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)       notes the terms of the report; and

(b)       instructs the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report to the Licensing Committee in early 2016 with an analysis of taxi marshal data over a twelve month period in accordance with the terms of the report.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it a statement of Committee Business from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to remove item 1 (Taxi Licence Limit Surveys Update) from the statement; and

(ii)        to otherwise note the updates contained within the statement.

EXEMPT INFORMATION

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DATA PROTECTION ACT 1988 (PRINCIPLE 1), THE PRESS AND PUBLIC WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM.

The Committee had before it, for its consideration, the applications listed in Appendix B to this minute.

The Committee resolved:-

that all applications be determined on the basis shown in Appendix B and that all licences are subject to the Council’s standard conditions unless otherwise stated.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that he had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the Committee consider the following item of business as a matter of urgency in order that the event to which it relates could take place.

The Committee heard Ruth O’Hare, Solicitor, Litigation and Licensing explain that a notification in respect of a proposed public procession to be held on
3 April, 2015 for a prayer walk on Kincorth Hill had been submitted allowing insufficient time for the statutory 28 day notice period.

She intimated that the Committee if it so wishes, could decide to waive the period of notice and accept the late notification.

The Committee resolved:-

to make an order to waive the statutory 28 day notice period.

- COUNCILLOR SCOTT CARLE, Convener

APPENDIX A

1.         Grant of a Licence for a House in Multiple Occupation

Application Reference Number - 3/01

Premises - 10f Roslin Street

Mr Ally Thain, Private Sector Housing Manager advised that the item was on the agenda today for the reason that the HMO Unit had concerns about the landlord’s conduct which were outlined in the report as follows:-

·         the applicant was found to be operating an unlicensed HMO;

·         the operation of the unlicensed HMO breached the Prohibition Notice served by Scottish Fire and Rescue Services; and

·         the applicant had failed to register himself as a landlord, and his property, with the Council.

Mr Thain indicated that the applicant and his property were now registered with the local authority.

The applicant, Mr David Halstead was in attendance and spoke in support of his application.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application until the works were completed, after which time officers could grant the application under delegated powers if appropriate.

2.         Grant of a Licence of a House in Multiple Occupation

Application Reference Number - 3/02

Premises - 22 Alexander Drive

Mr Ally Thain, Private Sector Housing Manager advised that a letter of representation had been received in respect of the application.

The respondent spoke in support of her letter of representation.

The applicant, Alison Hodgetts spoke in support of her application.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application until the works were completed, after which time officers could grant the application under delegated powers if appropriate.

3.         Grant of a Second Hand Vehicle Dealer Licence –
AF HIGH PERFORMANCE CARS LTD

Application Reference Number - 3/03

Location – 76 Willowbank Road, Aberdeen

Dates/Times – Monday to Friday, 16:00 to 18:00; Saturday 09:00 to 13:00

The Committee were advised that the certificate stating that the applicant had displayed the notice at or near the premises for a period of 21 days, beginning with the date on which the application was submitted to the local authority, had not been undertaken. A notice was currently being displayed at the premises but the objection period had not passed.

The applicant was not in attendance.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application to a meeting of the Licensing Urgent Business Sub-Committee.

4.         Variation of a Second Hand Dealer Licence - Calum Rattray

Application Reference Number - 3/04

Location – Trading Site at The Green

The Committee were advised that the applicant sought a variation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.