Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Roxanne Ellis, who was substituted by Councillor Collis.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, asking Members to consider consultation response and to seek adoption of the new Statement of Policy and Guidelines for the consideration of applications for Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers and Private Hire Operators.

RESOLVED to:

1.          Approve the amendments to the Statement of Policy and Guidelines for the Licensing of Hackney Carriage Drivers, Private Hire Drivers and Private Hire Operators, with the additional amendments detailed in the report, and that the amended policy come into effect immediately;

2.          Amend the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver Licence Conditions to include the requirement for holders of 3 year licences to sign a declaration after each 12 month period, as detailed in the report, and to undergo a DVLA check; and

3.          Amend the Private Hire Operator’s Conditions to include the requirement for holders of 5 year licences to sign a declaration after each 12 month period, as detailed in the report.

None.

To move that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ensuing report on the grounds that the report involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That, the Members being satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the ensuing reports on the grounds that the report involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a renewal of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from NA.

NA attended the meeting and addressed the Committee.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To approve NA’s application for the renewal of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for 1 year. 

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding a change of circumstance of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from MW.

MW attended the meeting, accompanied by his wife who addressed the Committee on his behalf.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that no exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To revoke MW’s Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence without immediate effect, on the grounds that he is no longer considered a fit and proper person and to give MW 21 days to surrender his licence.

MW was advised of his right to appeal against the decision of the Committee.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from BSS.

BSS attended the meeting and addressed the Committee.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that no exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To approve BSS’s application for a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for 1 year.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a renewal of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from DD.

DD attended the meeting and addressed the Committee.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To approve DD’s application for a renewal of Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for DD for 3 years.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a renewal of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from DZA.

DZA attended the meeting and addressed the Committee.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that no exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To refuse DZA’s application for a renewal of Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence on the grounds that he is not a fit and proper person.

DZA was advised of his right to appeal against the decision of the Committee.

Consideration was given to a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a change of circumstance of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence from HN.

HN attended the meeting and addressed the Committee.

In making its decision, the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.  On the basis of what it heard, the Committee was satisfied on balance that no exceptional circumstances existed which warranted departure from this policy.

RESOLVED:

To revoke HN’s Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence without immediate effect, on the grounds that he is no longer considered a fit and proper person and to give HN 21 days to surrender his licence.

HN was advised of his right to appeal against the decision of the Committee.