Taxi firm row set for court

Published 29 Apr 2010 10:58

By Ewan McInnes

POLICE bosses are locked in a dispute with the council over the legitimacy of a taxi operator in the town.

Strathclyde Police are taking their bid to suspend the running of Compass Cars to Paisley Sheriff Court after their objections were rejected by councillors.

At an East Renfrewshire Council licensing meeting last week, the police report was unable to convince the board the operating director of the Barrhead firm, Derek Mullaney, was 'not a fit and proper person' in an attempt to halt the company's 19 taxi radio licences.

Cops handed evidence to councillors which they believed would prove that Mr Mullaney should not be allowed to run the business - with allegations of criminal links to the company.

Police produced documentation at the meeting which was considered but the council threw out these claims.

It's understood council officials did not feel that anything new had been brought to the table and were assured by the company that people with criminal links previously linked to the firm are no longer shareholders.

It was revealed these former shareholders had been bought out and no longer benefited from the business of Compass Cars.

This private meeting came three weeks after the council rejected a separate police request to suspend the taxi firm's licence to operate as a business.

The police has refused to accept this decision and has taken its appeal to the Sheriff Court.

A sheriff will then make the ultimate decision on whether Compass Cars is able to operate in the town in its present form.

One resident spoke out in support of the cab company saying: "They're providing a service that's second to none. Their cars are clean, the drivers are pleasant and you never have any problems. They are a legitimate company and if the council has no issues with them then why are the police intent on pursuing this? They're not breaking any rules are they?"

Strathclyde Police were unable to comment on the issue as the appeal lies with the court.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson confirmed: "We have received notification of the appeal and await the outcome."

At the time of going to press no date has been set for the appeal at Paisley Sheriff Court.

As it stands Compass Cars, of Cochrane Street, Barrhead, is a fully legal and licensed taxi operator.

Mr Mullaney declined to comment at this time.

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 28 Apr 10

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