Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found here.

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.

There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 27 August 2024, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group of 4 September 2024, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the Committee Business Planner as prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note the reason for deferral in relation to item 4 (Residential Caravan Licensing); and

(ii)      to otherwise note the Business Planner.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Corporate Services which sought consideration in relation to possible changes to the membership and remit of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group (T&PHC Consultation Group).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee-

(a)      approve the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group membership in accordance with the proposed composition at 3.14 of the report;

(b)      reduce the number of meetings to three per annum, commencing 2025, noting that there is scope to arrange Special meetings for specific and/or urgent items as indicated in section 3.8 of the report;

(c)      approve the updated remit of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group, including the process for removing non attendees outlined in 3.11 of the report;

(d)      delete the ‘Independent Driver’ vacancy on the Consultation Group, noting that the position had been vacant for a number of years; and

(e)      take no action in relation to increasing the Taxi Trade representation on the Taxi and Private Hire Car Consultation Group.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee were advised that this item had been deferred at the request of the objector.

Late Objection Received – Papers will be circulated on the day if Committee are minded to accept late objection.

The Committee were advised that this item had been deferred at the request of the applicant.

Late Objection Received – Papers will be circulated on the day if Committee are minded to accept late objection.

The Committee were advised that this item had been deferred at the request of the applicant.

The Committee had before it a report by the Private Sector Housing Manager, which advised that the application was before the Committee for the reason that four letters of objection, appended to the report were submitted to the Private Sector Housing Team.

Mrs Jocelyn Janssen, Private Sector Housing Manager advised that the necessary upgrading works had been completed.

The applicant Mr Milton Zata and Property Manager Ms Lisa Schoneville were in attendance, spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

Ms Diane Carey, Ms Louisa Scott and Ms Jenni Colvin were in attendance, spoke in support of their letters of objection and responded to questions from members.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to refuse the licence on the grounds:-

(1)     that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to be the holder of the licence; and

(2)      that the premises was not suitable or convenient for the conduct of the activity having regard to the location, character or condition of the premises.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the application required to be determined by 15 April 2025; and (2) a letter of objection received from the Council’s Estates Team.

The licence holder Ms Emma Williamson was in attendance, spoke in support of her application and responded to questions from members.

Ms Deborah Wyllie, Lead Officer Estates, Aberdeen City Council was in attendance, spoke in support of the letter of objection and responded to questions from members.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to defer consideration of the application to allow discussion between officers from the Estates Team and the applicant to explore the suitability of the site or an alternative location in the area for the licence; and

(ii)      to waive the fee for any subsequent application for an alternative site.

The Committee were advised that the licence had been granted under delegated powers.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The press and public were excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following items which contained confidential information in terms of Section 50A 3(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Committee had before it (1) a report by the Private Sector Housing Manager; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 14 August 2024.

The applicant spoke in support of his application and responded to questions from members.

PC James Stewart was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter of representation.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to grant the registration.

The Committee had before it (1) a report by the Private Sector Housing Manager; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 17 July 2024.

The applicant was not in attendance, nor represented.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer this item until the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee were advised that this item had been deferred at the request of the applicant.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance which advised that the application required to be considered by 19 June 2025; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 24 September 2024.

The licence holder was in attendance and spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

PC James Stewart was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter of representation.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to grant the licence.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance which advised that the application required to be considered by 18 May 2025; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 21 August 2024.

The licence holder was in attendance and spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

PC James Stewart was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter of objection.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to grant the licence.

-                COUNCILLOR GILL AL-SAMARAI, Convener.