Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair to move:-

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined Paragraph 1 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was proposed by Councillor Bright, seconded by Councillor Hackett and –

Resolved:

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(Vote: For - unanimous)

To receive the report of the Lead Licensing Officer.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the role and procedure of a Licensing Sub-Committee.

There were no declarations of interest from the Sub-Committee.

The Lead Licensing Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide the sub-Committee with information relating to the conduct of a licensed taxi driver to enable Members to determine what action should be taken in respect of his Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence renewal.

The Chair asked if there were any questions from the Sub-Committee for the Lead Licensing Officer.

The Licence Holder was invited to put forward his case.

The Licence Holder addressed the Committee. The Chair asked the panel if they had any questions for the Licence Holder. The Licence Holder responded to the questions from the panel.

The Lead Licensing Officer made his closing submission.

The Chair asked the Licence Holder to give his final reply.

The panel retired for deliberation at 10:20am

Upon request of the Sub-Committee, the Lead Licensing Officer joined the deliberation at 10:38am to provide guidance.

The panel returned at 10:48am

The Chair stated that the Lead Licensing Officer joined the discussion to give clarification on the sanctions that could be imposed.

The Chair then stated that the Sub-Committee had thoroughly discussed the matter in relation to the Councils Licensing Policy for Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles, the Council’s Policy on the treatment of criminal convictions, and the Regulators’ Code.

The Sub-Committee decided that the Licence Holder must complete a driver assessment course within the next 2 months. They also warned the Licence Holder that any future offence will result in a more serious penalty.

The Chair confirmed that the licence holder had the right to appeal the Sub[1]Committee’s decision and the appeal must be submitted to the Magistrates Court within 21 days.