Highland councillors face no-confidence vote fallout over controversial taxi licensing decision

Highland Council members have backed a motion of no confidence in five councillors following controversy over an earlier Licensing Committee decision concerning two taxi operator licences held by David Brown.

The motion was carried at a full council meeting on Thursday 17 September by 56 votes to six, with five abstentions, according to reporting of the meeting. It concerned councillors Sean Kennedy, Chris Birt, John Grafton, Ruraidh Stewart and Duncan MacPherson.

The dispute stems from a Highland Licensing Committee meeting on 23 June. Council records show the committee considered two taxi operator licences held by Brown. Highland Council subsequently said the committee had decided to take no action in relation to the licences.

Highland Council said in July that Brown’s taxi driver’s licence had previously been suspended in January 2024. Following his conviction in May 2026, his taxi operator licences, which related to vehicles rather than permission to drive a taxi, were brought before the Licensing Committee for review. The authority said at the time that Brown was serving a prison sentence.

The council’s Chief Officer for Legal and Corporate Governance subsequently referred the Licensing Committee decision for consideration by the full council. Highland Council described that referral as an “extremely unusual step” and said it had been made on grounds relating to contravention of law or maladministration leading to injustice.

That process did not ultimately result in the full council determining the licences. Brown surrendered both taxi operator licences on 3 August, meaning they immediately ceased to have effect. Highland Council said this removed the legal basis for reconsidering the Licensing Committee’s decision.

At the subsequent special meeting on 4 August, councillors supported the decision to refer the licensing case and agreed to ask the Scottish Government to review rules, regulations and eligibility criteria concerning convicted criminals being granted licences associated with the taxi industry.

Council leaders also confirmed their intention to bring forward the September no-confidence motion against the five councillors.