Agenda and minutes

Apologies for lateness had been received from Councillor Sam Smith.

RESOLVED:

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

Councillor Gibbons joined the meeting.

None.

Report of the Head of Environment

Consideration was given to a report of a report of the Head of Environment which set out a request from a licensed driver for the Council to consider removing the requirement to display a roof light on a Hackney Carriage.

The Committee heard from the licence holder, Matthew Francis, on his reasons for making the request.

Following debate, the Committee resolved not to accept the recommendation of the Head of Environment to refuse the request to alter the licence conditions for Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

An alternative proposal to instruct officers to start a public consultation on whether to remove the requirement for hackney carriages to display a roof sign when operating was moved and duly seconded and it was

RESOLVED:

To instruct officers to commence a public consultation on whether to remove the requirement for Hackney Carriages to display a roof sign when operating, the results of which would be brought to a future meeting.

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.

Report of Corporate Director of Environment, Communities and Leisure

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director of Environment, Communities and Leisure, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, regarding an application for a one year joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for AMK.

AMK attended the meeting, along with a friend, and they both addressed the committee.

In making its decision, the Committee found that there were exceptional mitigating circumstances surrounding the offences which allowed for departure from the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.

RESOLVED:

Approve AMK’s application for a one year Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Report of Corporate Director for Environment, Communities and Leisure

Councillor Sam Smith joined the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director of Environment, Communities and Leisure, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, regarding a change of circumstances following information received about the holder of a Joint Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

SPS attended the meeting with a relative and addressed the Committee.

The Committee heard from one of the Community Protection Officers involved in the incident under discussion and members were shown footage from body worn cameras.

In making the decision the Committee applied the Council’s approved Policy and Guidelines.

RESOLVED:

To revoke the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence held by SPS, giving SPS 21 days to surrender the licence.

SPS was advised of the right of appeal against the decision of the Committee.