Item 5 - Grant of Temporary Taxi Driver's Licence - Gary McArthur
West Dunbartonshire Council · 11 December 2024
Back to Licensing Committee — 11 December 2024 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Regulatory & Regeneration Licensing Committee –11 December 2024 Subject: Application for grant of a Temporary Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence 1. Purpose 1.1 To consider an application for the grant of a Temporary Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence submitted by Mr. Gary McArthur, Flat 0/1 66 Onslow Road, Drumry, Clydebank G81 2PN. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the application be considered and determined by the Committee. 3. Background 3.1 Mr. McArthur submitted an application for grant of a Temporary Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence to the Council on 19 October 2024. 3.2 A letter was received from the Chief Constable of the Police authority on 1 November 2024 submitting a comment in connection with the application. 3.3 Mr. McArthur previously held a Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence continuously between 2013 until 2017. The initial grant of the Licence in 2013 was determined by the Committee following an objection which had been submitted by the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. 3.4 In 2016 Mr. McArthur was the subject of a request from the Chief Constable of Police Scotland for the suspension of the licence. Members at that time dealt with the matter by issuing a warning letter to Mr. McArthur. 3.5 Having failed to apply for the renewal of the licence in August 2017 the licence expired. Mr. McArthur then applied for the grant of a temporary Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence in October 2017. The Chief Constable of Police Scotland submitted a comment in relation to the applicant and the matter was determined by the Committee on 6 December 2017 where the licence was granted for 6 weeks. 3.6 Mr. McArthur then submitted an application for the grant of a Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence on 15 January 2018. An objection was submitted by the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the matter was referred to Committee. Having heard from the applicant and the representative of Police Scotland the licence was granted at the Committee on 16 May 2018.
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3.7 The Chief Constable of Police Scotland then submitted a request for the immediate suspension of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence held by Mr, McArthur on 18 May 2018 at which point, after consulting the Chair of the Licensing Committee, the licence was suspended with immediate effect and a hearing was arranged for 13 June 2018. Mr. McArthur then surrendered his licence on 24 May 2018 removing the requirement for a hearing to take place. 4. Main Issues 4.1 In view of the submission received from Police Scotland, the applicant and a representative of Police Scotland have been invited to attend the meeting of the Committee to be held on 11 December 2024. 4.2 Mr. McArthur has also submitted his personal medical records and we have also received 4 references speaking to Mr. McArthur’s character. It will be a matter for the Committee to decide whether these should be considered and they will be distributed if the Committee agree to view them. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no financial implications 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There is no increased risk to the Council associated with the contents of this report. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 No impact assessment is required because this report does not involve any change to policies or services or financial decisions. 9. Consultation 9.1 Police Scotland were consulted in relation to the application. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 In terms of the Council's Strategic Priorities, the purpose of licensing is to ensure our Communities are Resilient and Thriving. Chief Officer – Regulatory & Regeneration
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Date: 8 November 2024 Person to Contact: Robert Mackie, Senior Officer (Licensing Section), Licensing Team, Municipal Buildings, College Street, Dumbarton, G82 1NR. Tel. No. (Direct line) 01389 738742. robert.mackie@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: N/A. Background Papers: 1. Application for grant of a temporary Taxi/Private Hire Car Driver’s Licence submitted by Mr. Gary McArthur, Flat 0/1 66 Onslow Road, Drumry, Clydebank G81 2PN. 2. Letter dated 1 November 2024 from the Chief Constable, Police Scotland, 'L' Divisional Headquarters, Stirling Road, Dumbarton. 3. Medical Record Summary submitted by Mr. McArthur. 4. Character references pertaining to Mr. McArthur. 5. Letter to Mr. McArthur dated 22 November 2024. Wards Affected: N/A.