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.

The Convener proposed that the Committee consider item 10.1 (Taxi Licence Renewal), item 10.2 (Request for Revocation - Taxi Driver Licence) and item 10.3 (Request for Suspension/Revocation - Taxi Driver Licence/Taxi Licence/Private Hire Licence) with the press and public excluded from the meeting.

The Committee resolved:-

in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the above items so as to avoid disclosure of information of the classes described in the following paragraph of Schedule 7(A) to the Act:- articles 15, 16 and 17 (paragraph 14).

There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 19 February 2025, for approval.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the minute.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee of 22 April 2025, 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:-

to note the Business Planner.

With reference to article 5 of the minute of meeting of 5 June 2024, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of City Regeneration and Environment which provided an update on proposals for a further one-year exemption from the Low Emission Zone for wheelchair accessible taxis.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note that wheelchair accessible taxis are to be granted an additional one-year exemption from the Low Emission Zone; and

(b)      instruct the Interim Chief Officer – Governance to communicate this decision to wheelchair accessible taxi operators.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of meeting of 4 December 2024, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of Corporate Services which provided an update on the options for implementation of a mixed taxi fleet.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      consider the results of the public consultation;

(b)      retain the policy that all new applications for a taxi vehicle licence require to be for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV);

(c)      agree a mixed fleet with a 50/50 split between Saloons and WAVs;

(d)      stipulate a date by which all current licence holders can apply for access to the waiting list for a saloon plate;

(e)      instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to organise the list in order of length of licence held at that date and add applicants to the bottom of the list thereafter;

(f)       agree that each applicant on the waiting list be permitted one opportunity to pass on the chance to change vehicle before being moved to the bottom of the list; and

(g)      agree that an applicant who accepts the opportunity to change vehicle is given 6 months in which to do so before the opportunity passes to the next applicant on the list.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve recommendations (a) to (c) and (e) to (g);

(ii)      that in relation to recommendation (d), all current licence holders could apply for access to the waiting list for a saloon plate by 9 July 2025;

(iii)      to instruct the Chief Officer – Governance to conduct a review of the mixed fleet policy within a 12-month period and bring back a report to the Licensing Committee to identify any challenges which have arisen in implementation of the policy and to determine if any changes are required to ensure the effective operation and application of the policy. Such a review to include a note of the current split within the fleet; and

(iv)     to defer any Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle exemption requests to the Committee meeting on 8 October 2025.

With reference to article 8 of the minute of the previous meeting of 19 February 2025, the Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director of Corporate Services which provided information on the position in relation to Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licences and sought to determine whether a formal review process was required.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee consider the current policy in relation to Sexual Entertainment Venue licences and determine whether a formal review process is required.

The Committee resolved:-

to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to undertake a formal review process of Sexual Entertainment Venue licences.

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 two letters of objection 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, Louise Holt and Property Manager, Rebecca Dare were in attendance, spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

Bruce Lawrie was in attendance, spoke in support of his letter of objection and responded to questions from members.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to grant the licence.

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 one letter of objection, was submitted to the Private Sector Housing Team.

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

The applicant Paula Peres was in attendance, spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

George Henderson, on behalf of the Objector Vikki Crombie was in attendance, spoke in support of the letter of objection and responded to questions from members.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application until the necessary upgrading works were completed, after which time the Chief Officer - Housing could grant or refuse the licence under delegated powers, if appropriate.

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 one letter of objection was submitted to the Private Sector Housing Team.

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

John Goodlad, on behalf of the applicant was in attendance, spoke in support of the application and responded to questions from members.

Maureen McMahon was in attendance, spoke in support of her letter of objection and responded to questions from members.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor MacGregor, moved:-

that the Committee grant the licence.

Councillor McLeod moved as an amendment that the Committee refuse the licence, on the grounds that the premises was not suitable or convenient for the conduct of the activity having regard to the nature and extent of the proposed activity. However, as he did not receive a seconder, the amendment fell in terms of Standing Order 29.14.

The Committee resolved:-

to grant the licence.

The Committee had before it an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance (Legal) which advised (1) that current licensing policy required the operation of two zones for licensed taxis, one which covered the area within the airport boundary and one which covered the rest of the city; (2) that policy also stated that that airport vehicles may only operate within the city zone from 00.00 Saturday to 05.00 Sunday; (3) that a request had been received to suspend the zoning policy (in terms of airport zoned vehicles operating in the city) for the duration of the Tall Ships event and Offshore Europe event as has been done for Offshore Europe previously; (4) that the Tall Ships event will take place from Friday, 18 July until Tuesday, 22 July 2025; and Offshore Europe will take place from Tuesday, 2 September until Friday, 5 September 2025; and (5) that Members would be required to determine whether to suspend the policy and if so suspended, the exact times and dates for the suspension to start and to end.

The Committee resolved:-

to suspend the zoning policy (in terms of airport zoned vehicles operating in the city) for the duration of the Tall Ships event and the Offshore Europe during the following date and time periods:-

·       Tall Ships 2025

Friday 18 July 18:00 – Tuesday 22 July 23:59; and

·       Offshore Europe 2025

Tuesday 2 September – Friday 5 September 2025 – Full Days.

The Committee had before it an information note prepared by the interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the application required to be determined by 17 August 2025.

The Committee resolved:

to defer consideration of the application until 17 August 2025, to allow time for the Licensing Team to receive clear inspection responses from the Council’s Building Standards and Environmental Health, after which time, the Chief Officer - Governance could grant the licence under delegated powers or otherwise refuse the licence if the premises did not receive clear inspection responses.

The Committee had before it an information note prepared by the interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the application required to be determined by 25 August 2025.

The Committee resolved:

to defer consideration of the application until 25 August 2025, to allow time for the Licensing Team to receive a clear inspection response from the Council’s Environmental Health Team, after which time, the Chief Officer - Governance could grant the licence under delegated powers or otherwise refuse the licence if the premises did not receive a clear inspection response.

In accordance with the decision taken at Article 1 of this minute, the following three items were considered with the press and public excluded.

The Committee had before it (1) a report by the interim Chief Officer - Governance; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 21 November 2024.

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

Sergeant Neil Grant was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter of objection.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Vice Convener, seconded by the Convener, moved:-

that the Committee grant the licence.

Councillor Clark, seconded by Councillor MacGregor, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee refuse the licence on the grounds that there is good reason for refusing it.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (6) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Graham, Henrickson, Lawrence and McLeod; for the amendment (2) – Councillors Clark and MacGregor.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note by the interim Chief Officer - Governance; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 25 February 2025.

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

Sergeant Neil Grant was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor McLeod, moved:-

that the Committee suspend the licence for a period of six months.

The Vice Convener, seconded by Councillor Clark, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee revoke the licence with immediate effect on the grounds that the carrying on of the activity to which the licence related had caused, was causing or would likely to cause a threat to public safety..

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (3) – the Convener and Councillors Henrickson and McLeod; for the amendment (5) – the Vice Convener and Councillors Clark, Graham, Lawrence and MacGregor.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the amendment.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance; and (2) a letter from the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, c/o North East Division, dated 26 February 2025.

As a preliminary matter, Sandy Munro, Legal Advisor indicated that a character reference had been received from Aberdeen Taxis Ltd dated 12 May 2025, therefore the Committee required to consider whether it be accepted into the proceedings.

The Committee resolved:-

to accept the character reference into the proceedings.

The licence holder was in attendance with Dean Purdie, his legal representative and both spoke in support of his licence and responded to questions from members.

Sergeant Neil Grant was in attendance and spoke in support of Police Scotland’s letter.

Both parties were given the opportunity to sum up.

The Committee resolved:-

to take no action in relation to all three licences.

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 were advised that this item had been granted under delegated powers.

The Committee were advised that this item had been granted under delegated powers.

The Committee had before it an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance which advised that the application required to be considered by 6 July 2025.

The licence holder was not in attendance, nor represented.

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application until 6 July 2025, to allow a medical report to be received and should the applicant meet DVLA Group 2 Standards, the Chief Officer - Governance could grant the licence under delegated powers, otherwise refuse the licence if a medical report does not meet the medical standards by the aforementioned date.

The Committee had before it an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance which advised that the application required to be considered by 15 July 2025.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to defer consideration of the application until 15 July 2025, to allow a medical report to be received and should the applicant meet DVLA Group 2 Standards, the Chief Officer - Governance could grant the licence under delegated powers, otherwise refuse the licence if a medical report does not meet the medical standards by the aforementioned date.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

The licence holder was not in attendance, nor represented.

The Committee resolved:-

to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

The Committee were advised that this item had been deferred until the meeting on 8 October 2025.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy; and

(ii)      to approve a Wheelchair Assistance exemption.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

During discussion of the following item Councillor Graham declared an interest by virtue of him knowing the licence holder. He considered that the nature of his interest would require him to leave the meeting, therefore he took no further part in proceedings for this item.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to refuse the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy; and

(ii)      to approve a Wheelchair Assistance exemption.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

The Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Interim Chief Officer – Governance, which advised that the licence holder was seeking an exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle policy; and (2) correspondence relating to the exemption request.

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

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the request for exemption from the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy.

-         COUNCILLOR GILL AL-SAMARAI, Convener.