Agenda and draft minutes

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

The Committee will be requested to pass the following resolution:

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Resolved that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 12A the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Committee received a report which outlined the background to an appeal by Mr B against the decision of the Authority to refuse to renew his Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence on the grounds that it could not satisfied that he was a fit and proper person to hold the licence. 

Mr B attended the meeting and was accompanied by a representative, Mr D Wilson.

A Licensing Officer presented the report to the Committee which included information on Mr B’s application, his criminal and licensing record with the Authority and the reason for the refusal.  The appeal form in support submitted by Mr B was also included. 

Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr B asked questions of the Licensing Officer.

Members asked questions of the Licensing Officer.

Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr B then addressed the Committee and answered questions from Member and the Licensing Officer. 

Following a summing up from the Licensing Officer and Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr B, all parties left the meeting to enable consideration of the matter to be undertaken in private.

Resolved that (1) Mr B’s appeal be dismissed and the renewal of his combined hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence be refused on the grounds the all necessary documentation had not been supplied and therefore the Committee could not be satisfied that he was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a licence; and (2) that it be proposed that there be a change to the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Policy in relation to the processing of renewal applications  with a requirement to apply to renew 28 days prior to the current licence expiry date.

The Committee considered a report that outlined the background to a referral relating to the holder of a Combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle driver’s licence for Mr H. 

The Committee was requested to assess Mr H’s continued suitability to carry out the duties as a licensed driver.

Mr H attended the meeting and was accompanied by his representative, Mr D Wilson.

The Licensing Officer presented the report to the Committee which included information on the reason for the referral and Mr H’s criminal record.  The Licensing Officer then answered questions from Members of the Committee. 

Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr H asked questions of the Licensing Officer.

Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr H then addressed the Committee and answered questions from Members and the Licensing Officer.

Following a summing up from the Licensing Officer and Mr Wilson on behalf of Mr H both parties left the meeting room to enable consideration of the matter to be undertaken in private.

Resolved that Mr H receive a written warning and reminded that a licence is a privilege and not a right and the warning will be held on file and cited where appropriate should he  appear before the Committee in the future..