Agenda and minutes

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

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=502&MId=5644&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.

In terms of Standing Order 28(5)(vi), and in accordance with Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Sub Committee was informed that it had to determine: (1) that the items on the agenda were of an urgent nature; and (2) that the Sub Committee required to consider the items and take a decision thereon.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to agree that the items were of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day.

The Sub Committee had before it an information note prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding the validity of various applications for the renewal of a private hire driver’s licence which had been submitted early.

The note advised that guidance attached to application forms stated that renewal applications could not be submitted more than two months prior to the expiry of the licence.

The following options for disposal of the applications were available to the Sub Committee:

(a)          refuse the applications as invalid;

(b)          process the applications in the normal fashion; and

(c)          process the applications but require the applicants to attend Committee to explain the reason for the early submission regardless of any representations/objections. 

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Crockett moved:-

that the Sub Committee agree –

(1)          that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services process the early private hire driver renewal applications, however require each of the applicants to attend Committee to explain the reason for the early submission regardless of any representations / objections prior to determining the applications; and

(2)          that renewal applications could not be received up to six months in advance of the licence holders renewal date and therefore any requests received in advance of this timescale would be treated as incompetent and not processed and to request the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to update the guidance attached to application forms on this basis.

Councillor Nicoll moved as an amendment:-

that the Sub Committee agree that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services process the early renewal private hire driver renewal applications in the normal manner.

Councillor Nicoll’s amendment failed to attract a seconder and therefore was not put to the vote.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to adopt the motion.

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 Sub Committee had before it (1) an information note prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in respect of the application; and (2) a letter of objection from the Chief Constable, Police Scotland, c/o Aberdeen City Division dated 25 October 2016, and Sergeant Flett was in attendance and spoke in support of the letter of objection.

The applicant was not in attendance.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to refuse the application.

- COUNCILLOR MARIE BOULTON, Convener