Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to

any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage such

an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declaration of interests

To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the 24 February 2020

Resolved: that the minutes of the Licensing and Control Committee A meeting of held on the 24 February 2020 be approved as the correct record

To receive any questions from Members of the public in accordance with Standing

Order 11.2

( Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no questions from the public

In the opinion of the Proper Officer the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item. Therefore the meeting is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

‘that under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting from the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A to the Act indicated against the item.’

Resolved: that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting from the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act indicated against the item.

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 5

Before the committee was a report by the Director for Communities, copies of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 5.  Members were asked to review a Private Hire Drivers’ Licence the details of which meant that it was appropriate for the Committee to consider the application

Members carried out the procedure put before them to determine the application

The meeting adjourned at 7.15pm for the members to consider their decision and reconvened at 8.36pm

The meeting was told that In reaching its decision, the Licensing Committee gave due regard to relevant legislation and guidance within the Councils Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Handbook. The Committee also gave regard to human rights legislation and the rules of natural justice. Due consideration was given to representations that were made at the hearing and in writing.

Resolved: That the private hire licence be suspended for three years

Reasons for decision: The Committee had regarded all the evidence before them and what they had heard at the meeting.  The Committee viewed the incident as a serious offence and had referred to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Handbook for Worthing Borough Council which defines driving without due care and attention as a major traffic offence. The Committee were concerned that the respondent could offer no explanation as to how the incident happened and that he stated he only wears his glasses when he is in a new area.  The Committee have suspended the licence for 3 years due to the seriousness of the offence.  The safety of the public is the paramount concern to the Committee and due to the seriousness of the offence the Committee do not believe that the respondent is a fit and proper person to hold a private hire drivers licence.

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 6

The applicant was unable to be present at the meeting and the Committee agreed to adjourn the application to another meeting