Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Audrey Forrest, Amanda Hampsey, Mark Irvine, Paul Kennedy, Liz McCabe and Dougie Philand.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  In line with recent legislation for Civic Government Hearings, the parties (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 Mr Pacitti joined the meeting by telephone.

The Chair then outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Applicant to speak in support of his application.

APPLICANT

Mr Pacitti advised that he was currently working as a taxi driver for Lorn Taxis in Oban and that he had also driven a taxi part time many years ago.  He said that he had also been a heavy goods driver and that customer service was always a priority for him.

As an independent taxi driver, working for himself, he would like to be able to help reduce the waiting times at the taxi rank, especially during peak times.

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

Councillor Brown sought and received confirmation from the Council’s Solicitor that there were currently 50 taxis in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.   Ms MacDonald pointed out that in respect of the LVSA survey report the Committee had taken the decision in January 2024 to no longer take this survey into consideration in respect of this area.  She advised that when the survey was carried out there were 52 taxis in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Councillor Blair asked Mr Pacitti if he had carried out his own survey of the rank.  Mr Pacitti confirmed that he had.  He said that at peak times the taxis were very busy with people standing, for quite a while at the rank.  He said he would receive complaints about there being no taxis available which was due to the drivers being too busy to cover the rank.

SUMMING UP

Applicant

Mr Pacitti said that he hoped the addition of an extra independent driver would help reduce the waiting times for the expanding community, especially at the rank.

Mr Pacitti confirmed that he had received a fair hearing.

DEBATE

Councillor Brown advised that she had no issues with this and would be happy to approve the application.

Councillor Green said he was of the same view.  He said the need for more taxis in Oban was clear and that it was good another person was willing to do this.

DECISION

The Committee unanimously agreed to grant a Taxi Car Licence to Mr Pacitti and noted that he would receive written notification of this decision within 7 days.

(Reference: Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support, submitted)