Minutes of Special Meeting of the Caithness Committee held in Mowat Room, Assembly Rooms, Wick on Monday 12th February, 2007
Present:
Councillor William N. Fernie
Councillor David C. M. Flear
Councillor John H. Green
Councillor Thomas C. Jackson
Councillor Alastair I. MacDonald
Councillor Donald M. Mackay
Councillor Katrina MacNab
Councillor William A. Mowat
Councillor Roger Saxon
Councillor Graeme M. Smith
In Attendance:
Mrs Fiona I. Sinclair, Area Solicitor/Administrator
Inspector Goskirk, Northern Constabulary
Caithness Committee
(Chairman – David Flear, Convener)
1. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
2. Hearing – Application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence – Donald Crear Matheson
There had been circulated report by the Area Solicitor/Administrator on an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence lodged by Donald Crear Matheson. Appended to the report was a copy of Mr Matheson’s application along with a copy of a letter of objection lodged on behalf of the Chief Constable of Northern Constabulary.
Mrs Sinclair introduced the application and advised that Mr Matheson was present before the meeting as was Inspector Goskirk representing the Chief Constable.
Mr Matheson explained that he wished to gain employment as a taxi driver in the local area. Inspector Goskirk explained the points made in her letter of objection and submitted that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver’s licence.
Having heard from the applicant and from the objector, the Committee agreed to refuse the application on the grounds that Mr Matheson is not a fit and proper person to hold a Taxi Driver’s Licence.
3. Hearing – Application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence – Mr Malcolm McPhee
There had been circulated a report by the Area Solicitor/Administrator along with a copy of an application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence lodged by Mr Malcolm McPhee. Mr McPhee had been invited to attend the Hearing but was not present at the meeting. Mrs Sinclair explained that Mr McPhee had twice failed the knowledge test which is a requirement for Highland Council taxi drivers, and that Mr McPhee had not arranged a second re-sit of the test and had not answered recent correspondence in connection with the matter.
Following discussion, the Committee agreed to refuse Mr McPhee’s application for a Taxi Driver’s Licence on the grounds that he is a not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.
The meeting closed at 12.10 pm.