Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland Licensing Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 at 11.00 am.  

You are invited to attend and a note of the business to be considered is attached. 

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter. 

Members are reminded that during determination of Licensing Items, in order to be entitled to participate in any vote, Members must be present throughout all of the proceedings. 

Members are further reminded that mobile devices, including mobile phones, can be used for following the agenda/reports and delivering speeches but should not be used for any form of communication (text or tweet) during the meeting.

Yours faithfully 

Claire McArthur, Principal Solicitor – Regulatory Services 
(for Chief Officer – Legal & Corporate Governance)  

Business 

1. Apologies for absence 
Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of interest 
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place. 

3. Confirmation of minutes
Dearbhadh a’ gheàrr-chunntais

There is submitted for confirmation as a correct record the minute of the meeting of the Highland Licensing Committee held on 28 October 2025.

4. Licences granted under delegated powers
Ceadachdan a bhuilicheadh fo ùghdarras air a thiomnadh

There is circulated Report No HLC/169/25 by the Principal Solicitor which details all Licences which have been granted under delegated powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 granted in the period from 16 October to 19 November 2025.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

4.1 Short Term Let Licences granted under delegated powers    
Ceadachd Aontaidhean Màil Geàrr-ùine Ceadachdan a bhuilicheadh fo ùghdarras air a thiomnadh

There is circulated Report No HLC/170/25 by the Principal Solicitor which details all Short Term Let Licences which have been granted under delegated powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 granted in the period from 16 October to 19 November 2025.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

5. Pending applications – 3 monthly considerations
Iarrtasan ri thighinn – beachdachaidhean 3 mìosach

There is circulated Report No HLC/171/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to applications which are currently pending for the grant or renewal of licences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The Report recommends that the Committee agree to defer the determination of the applications, either:

(a) to allow them to be approved under delegated powers in the event that no objections/representations are received and all outstanding documentation has been received from the applicants; or

(b) to a future meeting of the Committee when the applications will be determined in terms of the Hearings Procedure.

5.1 Short Term Let Pending applications – 3 monthly considerations
Ceadachd Aontaidhean Màil Geàrr-ùine Iarrtasan ri thighinn – beachdachaidhean 3 mìosach

There is circulated Report No HLC/172/25 by the Principal Solicitor outlining the Short Term Let applications which are currently pending for the grant or renewal of licences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

6. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Review of taxi tariff 2025/2026
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Ath-bhreithneachadh air Taraif Tagsaidh 2025/2026

There is circulated Report No HLC/173/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to the statutory requirement to undertake, and complete, a review of the Council’s taxi tariff within 18 months of the current tariff coming into effect.

The Committee are invited to:

(i) consider the one representation received following advertisement of the proposed tariff, all other further information before it and any further submissions which any taxi operator attending the meeting may make to the Committee at the meeting and thereafter agree a final tariff,

(ii) agree that any revised tariff will take effect from 9 February 2026, subject to any appeal being lodged as per 7.2 of the report and the caveats set out as per 8.1 of the report.

7. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Foreign convictions check policy
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Poileasaidh dearbhaidh Dhìtidhean Cèine 

There is circulated Report No HLC/174/25 by the Solicitor relating to proposed amendments to the Highland Council’s foreign convictions check policy for licensing to ensure it remains compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. 

This Committee are invited to approve the proposed amendments to the foreign conviction check policy.

8. The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following Items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

9. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Taxi driver’s / operator’s licences
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Ceadachdan Dhràibhearan / Oibrichean Tagsaidh

9.1 Application for the renewal of a taxi driver’s licence – Andrew MacKay  

There is circulated to members only Report No HLC/175/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application for the renewal of a taxi driver’s licence by Andrew MacKay (Ward 13 – Inverness West).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

9.2 Taxi operator’s licence – Andrew MacKay  

There is circulated to members only Report No HLC/176/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to Andrew MacKay who is the holder of a taxi operator’s licence (Ward 13 – Inverness West).

The Committee is invited to determine this matter in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

9.3 Private hire car driver’s licence – Perry Robinson  

There is circulated to members only Report No HLC/177/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to Perry Robinson who is the holder of a private hire car driver’s licence (Ward 18 – Nairn & Cawdor).

The Committee is invited to determine this matter in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

9.4 Private hire car driver’s licence – Hristo Georgiev

There is circulated to members only Report No HLC/178/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to Hristo Georgiev who is the holder of a private hire car driver’s licence (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side).

The Committee is invited to determine this matter in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

10. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Itinerant metal dealers licences
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Ceadachasan luchd-dèiligidh meatailt siùbhlach
    
10.1 Application for the grant of an itinerant metal dealer’s licence

There is circulated to members only Report No HLC/179/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Bryce John Leiper for the grant of an itinerant metal dealer’s licence.

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

11. The Committee will return to public proceedings for the following items

12. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Short Term Let licensing
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Ceadachd Aontaidhean Màil Geàrr-ùine 

12.1 Application for grant of a short term let licence – 2 Lochiel Place, St Ninian Road, Nairn, IV12 4EH

There is circulated Report No HLC/180/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mr Rodney Oliver Baxter for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 18 – Nairn and Cawdor).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.2 Application for grant of a short term let licence – Lismore Cottage, Onich, PH33 6SA

There is circulated Report No HLC/181/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mrs Katherine Gormley for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 21 – Fort William and Ardnamurchan).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.3 Application for grant of a short term let licence – The Bothy Beinn Damph, Shieldaig, IV54 8XP

There is circulated Report No HLC/182/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Miss Louise Beatrice Gray for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 05 – Ross and Skye).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.4. Application for grant of a short term let licence – The Thrail House, Annat, Torridon, IV22 2EU

There is circulated Report No HLC/183/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Miss Louise Beatrice Gray for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 05 – Ross and Skye).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.5 Application for grant of a short term let licence – Flat 1, Ardholm, High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BX

There is circulated Report No HLC/184/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mrs Eilidh Elizabeth McGinness on behalf of Croch Ltd (Company number SC448213) for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 12- Aird and Loch Ness).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.6 Application for grant of a short term let licence – Flat 2, Ardholm, High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BX

There is circulated Report No HLC/185/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mrs Eilidh Elizabeth McGinness on behalf of Croch Ltd (Company number SC448213) for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 12- Aird and Loch Ness).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.7 Application for grant of a short term let licence – Flat 3, Ardholm, High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BX

There is circulated Report No HLC/186/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mrs Eilidh Elizabeth McGinness on behalf of Croch Ltd (Company number SC448213) for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 12- Aird and Loch Ness).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.8 Application for grant of a short term let licence – Flat 4, Ardholm, High Street, Beauly, IV4 7BX

There is circulated Report No HLC/187/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Mrs Eilidh Elizabeth McGinness on behalf of Croch Ltd (Company number SC448213) for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 12- Aird and Loch Ness).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

12.9 Application for grant of a short term let licence - 29 Inverlochy Court, Fort William, PH33 6XE 

There is circulated Report No HLC/188/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Miss Katie Irving for the grant of a short term let licence (Ward 21 – Fort William and Ardnamurchan).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

13. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Taxi driver’s / operator’s licences
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Ceadachdan Dhràibhearan / Oibrichean Tagsaidh

13.1 Application for a taxi driver’s licence – Jozsef Simo  

There is circulated Report No HLC/189/25  by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Jozsef Simo for the grant of a taxi driver’s licence (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

13.2 Application for a taxi operator’s licence – Timofei Toderica

There is circulated Report No HLC/190/25  by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Timofei Toderica for the grant of a taxi operator’s licence (Ward 19 – Inverness South).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

14. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Private hire car driver’s / operator’s licences
Achd Riaghaltais Chatharra (Alba) 1982 Iarrtasan airson ceadachdan do dhràibhearan / oibrichean chàraichean airson fastadh prìobhaideach

14.1 Application for a private hire car operator’s licence – Bismillah Momand

There is circulated Report No HLC/191/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Bismillah Momand for the grant of a private hire car operator’s licence (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

14.2 Application for a private hire car driver’s licence – Sanjay Sanjay

There is circulated Report No HLC/192/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application which has been received from Sanjay Sanjay for the grant of a private hire car driver’s licence (Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Hearings Procedure.

15. Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 Private landlord registration
Achd Dol A-mach Mì-shòisealta (Alba) 2004 Clàradh Uachdarain Phrìobhaidich – Brathan Ùnnlagh Màil

15.1 Application for renewal of registration in the register of private landlords – Alan Grant

There is circulated Report No HLC/193/25 by the Principal Solicitor relating to an application for the renewal of a private landlord registration by Alan Grant (Ward 4 – East Sutherland and Edderton).

The Committee is invited to determine this application in accordance with the Council’s Landlord Registration Hearings Procedure.