Printed minutes
Argyll and Bute Council · 23 October 2024
Back to Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee — 23 October 2024 and its agenda
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MINUTES of MEETING of PLANNING, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND LICENSING COMMITTEE held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2024 Present: Councillor Kieron Green (Chair) Councillor John Armour Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Daniel Hampsey Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Mark Irvine Councillor Peter Wallace Attending: Shona Barton, Governance Manager David Walker, Solicitor Eleanor Martin, Applicant 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Audrey Forrest, Andrew Kain, Paul Kennedy, Liz McCabe and Dougie Philand. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. 3. CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982: APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF TAXI CAR LICENCE (E MARTIN, DUNBEG) The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. In line with recent legislation for Civic Government Hearings, the party (and any representatives) were given the options for participating in the meeting today. The options available were by video call, by audio call or by written submission. For this hearing the Applicant opted to proceed by way of audio call and Eleanor Martin joined the meeting by telephone. The Chair outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Applicant to speak in support of her application. APPLICANT The applicant stated she had been a taxi driver in Oban for 5 years and wanted to become self-employed as it provided more flexibility for her working hours. She advised she would work as a rank taxi and stated there was a need for those in Oban. MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS Councillor Brown sought and received confirmation from the Applicant that her car was currently insured. SUMMING UP Applicant
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Ms Martin reiterated that she enjoyed being a taxi driver and wanted to become self- employed to have more flexibility over her working hours. She also stated that she wanted to meet the needs of the customer where there was a demand. Councillor Green sought and received confirmation that the Applicant felt she had received a fair hearing. DEBATE Councillor Brown stated that she had no concerns with the application. She had recently visited Oban and had observed it was busy and that there was a need for taxis. She confirmed she would have no hesitation in approving the application. Councillor Amanda Hampsey offered her approval of this application and stated it was a good idea for Ms Martin to have her own vehicle and determine her own hours. She also agreed there was a need for more taxis in Oban and stated it was great to have the option of a female driver. Councillor Daniel Hampsey agreed with Councillors Brown and Amanda Hampsey and stated he was happy to approve the application. DECISION The Committee unanimously agreed to grant a taxi car licence to Eleanor Martin and noted that she would receive written confirmation of this within 7 days. (Reference: Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support, submitted)