Agenda Document Pack - Licensing Committee - 02/09/2025
South Lanarkshire Council · 2 September 2025
Back to Licensing Committee — 2 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Monday, 25 August 2025 Dear Councillor Licensing Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Tuesday, 02 September 2025 Time: 10:00 Venue: Hybrid - Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Paul Manning Chief Executive Members Andy Carmichael (Chair), Bert Thomson (Depute Chair), Joe Fagan (ex officio), Margaret Cowie, Julia Marrs, Catherine McClymont, Kenny McCreary, Mark McGeever, David Shearer, Helen Toner Substitutes Robert Brown, Mary Donnelly, Gladys Ferguson-Miller, Davie McLachlan, Richard Nelson 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 August 2025 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 5 - 12 Urgent Business 3 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. Exclusion of Press and Public 4 Exclusion of Press and Public It is recommended that the Committee makes the following resolution:- "That, in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information in terms of Paragraphs 6 and 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act." Item(s) for Decision 5 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 997 and Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 310 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 6 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Renewal of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 977 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 7 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Grant of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 8 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Grant of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 9 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Grant of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 2
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10 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Renewal of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 370 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 11 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 010 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 12 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 542 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 13 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 2135 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act 14 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 2169 • Exempt information in terms of Paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Carol Lyon Clerk Telephone: 07385370065 Clerk Email: carol.lyon@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 3
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LICENSING COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Confero and in Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 12 August 2025 Chair: Councillor Andy Carmichael Councillors Present: Councillor Margaret Cowie, Councillor Julia Marrs, Councillor Catherine McClymont, Councillor Kenny McCreary, Councillor David Shearer, Councillor Bert Thomson (Depute), Councillor Helen Toner Councillors’ Apologies: Councillor Joe Fagan (ex officio), Councillor Mark McGeever Attending: Finance and Corporate Resources D McLardy, Legal Services’ Adviser; S McLeod, Administration Officer; L Steele, Licensing and Registration Assistant; L Wyllie, Administration Assistant Order of Business The Committee decided: that the items of business be dealt with in the order minuted below. 1 Declaration of Interests The following interests were declared:- Councillor(s) Item(s) Nature of Interest(s) Thomson Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 528 and Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 323 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 660 Employed by same company as applicant 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 24 June 2025 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 2 5
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3 Licensing of Taxis – Review of Taxi Fares A report dated 22 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted:- on the progress of the taxi fares review in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen, Clydesdale, East Kilbride and Hamilton zones of South Lanarkshire requesting Committee’s approval for the reviewed fares In terms of Section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended by Section 174 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010), there was a requirement for licensing authorities to review and fix taxi fares in their area at intervals not greater than every 18 months. The Council, since its inception in 1996, had adopted an approach of fixing taxi fares across 4 zones, being Cambuslang and Rutherglen, Clydesdale, East Kilbride and Hamilton. In the usual manner, the initial requirement of this review was to consult with persons or organisations appearing to them to be, or be representative of, the operators of taxis within the Council area. On 3 June 2025, this Committee considered consultation responses received by the Council at the initial stage of the fares review process. The Committee agreed that, subject to conclusion of the statutory review process, the fares review for the Clydesdale and Hamilton zones would take place on the basis that there would be no increase in the current tariffs. The current tariffs were shown in Appendix 1 to the report. In respect of the Cambuslang and Rutherglen and East Kilbride zones, officers took all of the responses into account and proposed increase, as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 to the report, as being a reasonable representation of the views received. The proposed Cambuslang and Rutherglen, Clydesdale, East Kilbride and Hamilton fares reviews had been advertised in the press and on the Council’s website, in accordance with the legislation, and no responses had been received. The Committee decided: (1) that, on the basis that no objections or representations had been received following the press and website adverts, there be no increase in the current fares tariff for the Clydesdale and Hamilton zones of South Lanarkshire, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; (2) that, on the basis that no objections or representations had been received following the press and website adverts, the proposals detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone, be approved; and (3) that, on the basis that no objections or representations had been received following the press and website adverts, the proposals detailed in Appendix 3 to the report, in the East Kilbride zone, be approved. [Reference: Minutes of 3 June 2025 (Paragraph 3)] 4 Civic Licence Applications Determined under Delegated Authority – April to June 2025 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on civic licence applications determined under delegated authority in the period April to June 2025. 6
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Applications for grant or renewal of licences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended) must be processed within statutory timescales. Delegated authority had been given to determine various types of civic licensing application, through the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. Delegated authority was limited and certain applications still required to come to the Committee for determination, for instance where there were certain objections or there was a representation from Police Scotland, depending upon the nature of the application in question. In the period between April 2024 and March 2025, there were 615 new licence applications granted and 963 licences renewed under delegated authority. As at 30 June 2025, there were 6,578 licences in operation. Details of the public register of applications made and licences issued under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended) and miscellaneous licensing, which showed a summary of current licences and applications, were available on the Council’s website. The Committee decided: that the report be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 13 May 2025 (Paragraph 3)] 5 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. 6 Exclusion of Press and Public The Committee decided: that, in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information in terms of Paragraphs 6 and 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act. 7 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Grant of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence A report dated 23 June 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on an application for grant of a private hire car driver’s licence in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the applicant who was present and represented by A J Hussain, Solicitor. A late representation had been received from Police Scotland. The reason for the lateness of the representation was accepted and Constable Doria was heard on behalf of Police Scotland. Following discussion, Councillor McClymont, seconded by Councillor Thomson, moved that the application be granted for a period of 1 year. Councillor McCreary, seconded by Councillor Carmichael, moved as an amendment that the application be refused. On a vote being taken using the electronic voting system, 5 members voted for the motion and 3 for the amendment. The motion was declared carried. 7
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The Committee decided: that the application by M Shabbir, Flat 1/1, 333 Maxwell Road, Glasgow for the grant of a private hire car driver’s licence in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be granted for a period of 1 year. 8 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Renewal of Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 498 A report dated 23 June 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on an application for the renewal of private hire car driver’s licence No 498 in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the applicant who was present and accompanied by G Berhane. A representation had been received from Police Scotland and Constable Doria was heard. The Committee decided: that the application by Y Gebretatios, Flat 2/1, 33 Leadburn Road, Glasgow for renewal of private hire car driver’s licence No 498 in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be refused. In terms of Standing Order No 14, the Chair adjourned the meeting following this item of business at 11.25am. The meeting reconvened at 11.35am 9 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 528 and Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence No 323 A report dated 11 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted:- ♦ advising on action taken, in terms of Standing Order No 38(c), in view of the timescales involved and a serious threat to public order or safety, by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Chair and an ex officio member, to order the immediate suspension of private hire car operator’s licence No 528 and private hire car driver’s licence No 323 from 11 July 2025 ♦ proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 528 and private hire car driver’s licence No 323 be suspended or revoked In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the licence holder who was not present or represented. A complaint had been received from Police Scotland. The Committee decided: (1) that the action taken, in terms of Standing Order No 38(c), by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Chair and an ex officio member, to suspend private hire car operator’s licence No 528 and private hire car driver’s licence No 323, with effect from 11 July 2025, for a maximum period of 6 weeks, be noted; and 8
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(2) that private hire car operator’s licence No 528 and private hire car driver’s licence No 323 be suspended with immediate effect for the remainder of the period of the licences. Councillor Thomson, having declared an interest in the above item of business, withdrew from the meeting during its consideration 10 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 2355 and Taxi Driver’s Licence No 112 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 2355 and taxi driver’s licence No 112 should be suspended or revoked in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the licence holder who was present and represented by A J Hussain, Solicitor in support of retaining his licences. A report had been received from the Council’s Authorised Officer under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended) and F Carroll was heard. The Committee decided: that private hire car operator’s licence No 2355 and taxi driver’s licence No 112 in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be suspended with immediate effect for the remainder of the period of the licences. Councillor Cowie left the meeting after this item of business 11 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Application for Renewal of Taxi Driver’s Licence No 188 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on an application for the renewal of taxi driver’s licence No 188 in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the applicant who was present and accompanied by A Cahsae. The Committee decided: that the application by S Adhanom, Flat 10a, 151 Westercommon Road, Glasgow for the renewal of taxi driver’s licence No 188 in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be granted for a period of 1 year. 12 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 2138 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 2138 should be suspended or revoked in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). 9
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In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the licence holder who was not present or represented. The Committee decided: that private hire car operator’s licence No 2138 in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be suspended with immediate effect for the remainder of the period of the licence. 13 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 2150 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 2150 should be suspended or revoked in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the licence holder who was not present or represented. The Committee decided: that private hire car operator’s licence No 2150 in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen zone be suspended with immediate effect for the remainder of the period of the licence. Councillor Marrs left the meeting after this item of business 14 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 660 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 660 should be suspended or revoked in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended), the opportunity of a hearing had been offered to the licence holder who was not present or represented. The Committee decided: that private hire car operator’s licence No 660 in the Hamilton zone be suspended with immediate effect for the remainder of the period of the licence. Councillor Thomson, having declared an interest in the above item of business, withdrew from the meeting during its consideration 15 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (As Amended) - Consideration of Suspension or Revocation of Private Hire Car Operator’s Licence No 1325 A report dated 23 July 2025 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted proposing that consideration be given to whether private hire car operator’s licence No 1325 should be suspended or revoked in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended). 10
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The Legal Services’ Adviser intimated that the licence holder had surrendered his licence, therefore, there was no requirement for a hearing. The Committee decided: to note that a hearing was no longer required. 11
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