Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gillam, Parr and Poole.

RESOLVED:

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

None.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking approval to introduce a knowledge test for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers as part of the application and renewal process for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver’s licences (“driver’s licences”).

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the introduction of the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge Test;

2.    That all those submitting an application for a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Driver’s licence on or after 1^st May 2014 be required to pass the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge Test as part of the application process;

3.    That all those who currently hold a Gedling Borough Council Private Hire/Hackney Carriage driver’s licence  which is due for renewal on or after 1^st July 2014 be required to pass the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge Test once, as part of the renewal application process;

4.    That the pass mark for the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge Test be set at 75%; and

5.    That Officers report back to The Environment and Licensing Committee 12 months after the introduction of the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge Test to update Members as to its progress.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking approval of a proposed increase to taxi licensing fees for 2014/15, subject to advertisement requirements being satisfied, and to approve an increase in general fees for 2014/15.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the fees and charges for 2014/15, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report, with effect from 1^st April 2014.

2.    To approve the fees for taxi operators and vehicle licences for 2014/15, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, for advertisement in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and to approve such fees to automatically come into force if no objections are received within the statutory period.

3.    To approve the proposed fees for taxi driver’s licences for 2014/15, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, for advertisement and to authorise the Corporate Director, in consultation with the Chair of Environment and Licensing Committee, to agree the final fees after taking into account any comments received during the consultation period.

4.    To approve the proposed fee of £35 for the Gedling Borough Council Knowledge test for advertisement and to authorise the Corporate Director, in consultation with the Chair of Environment and Licensing Committee, to agree the final fee after taking into account any comments received during the consultation period.

.

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, regarding a request for an exemption from displaying fixed plates on vehicles licensed by a Mr Clarke as a result of only undertaking executive private and wedding hire.

RESOLVED:

1.    To waive the requirement to display vehicle license plates.

2.    To issue a notice, to be permanently displayed at all times in a position to be agreed, inside any licensed vehicles used for executive private hire purposes owned or operated by Mr K. J. Clarke.

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.

MA did not attend the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To defer consideration of the consideration of the change of circumstances of MA’s Hackney Carriage/Private Driver’s Licence to a future meeting of the committee.

The Committee considered a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence from SIHS.

SIHS attended the meeting with his partner 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 approve SIHS’s application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence.

The Committee considered a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding a change of circumstance of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence from MSA.

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

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

The Committee considered a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence from AS.

AS attended the meeting, represented by his solicitor.

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 AS’s application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence, subject to satisfactory checks, with a warning as to the necessary consequences of any further convictions or appearances before Committee.

The Committee considered a report from Corporate Director, David Wakelin, regarding an application for a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence from LA.

LA attended the meeting, represented by his solicitor, 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 approve LA’s application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence.

Councillors Andrews, Ellis and Hope left the meeting.

JH did not attend the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To defer consideration of the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Driver’s Licence from JH to a future meeting of the committee.