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=5552&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 item on the agenda was of an urgent nature; and (2) that the Sub Committee required to consider the item and take a decision thereon.

The Sub Committee resolved:

to agree that the item was of an urgent nature and required to be considered this day.

Please note that the decision taken at the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 13 December 2016 to implement the street knowledge testing of Private Hire Drivers requires clarification as it cannot be imposed retrospectively.

With reference to article _ of the minute of meeting of the Licensing Committee of 13 December 2016, the Sub Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Corporate Governance which sought agreement to amend the date from which the requirement for knowledge testing for private hire drivers should be applied to applications for the grant and renewal of private hire driver licences.

The report recommended:

That the Sub Committee -

(a)      Suspend Standing Orders in order to amend the implementation date of knowledge testing for private hire drivers agreed at item 4.2 of the Licensing Committee meeting of 13 December 2016; and

(b)      Approve an amended implementation date for the application of the knowledge test for private hire car drivers to any new application lodged on or after 2 January 2017 and to any renewal applications falling due on or after 2 January 2017, and received after 1 January 2017 where the applicant has not already passed the knowledge test.

Members asked various questions in relation to the change in implementation date and the impact it would have on applicants.

The Sub Committee resolved:-

(i)       to suspend Standing Order 22(2) to revoke the decision made by the Licensing Committee on 13 December 2016 to approve the Introduction of a  knowledge test for private hire car drivers applicable to any application lodged on or after 1 November 2016; and

(ii)      to approve an amended implementation date for the application of the knowledge test for private hire car drivers to any new application lodged after 5pm on 23 December 2016 and to any renewal application received after 5pm on 23 December 2016 where the applicant has not already passed the knowledge test.

-        MARIE BOULTON, Convener