Agenda and minutes

Members and Officers must declare and disclosable 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 Legal and Democratic Services representative for this meeting

There were no declaration of interests

In the opinion of the proper officer the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for consideration of items 12 and 13. Therefore the meeting is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

‘that under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public 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.’

Resolved ‘that under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public 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 3

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Communities, a copy of which was circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 3.

The report before the Sub-Committee requested members to consider what action should be taken.in relation to a private hire licence

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 had also given 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 licence be revoked with immediate effect

Reasons for decision:  The Licensing Committees overriding concern was public safety. The Committee were extremely concerned by the number of incidents before them that had occurred in the 5 years of holding a licence. The driver had admitted using a mobile phone whilst driving and the Committee had been shown CCTV evidence of this. This had occurred on three occasions and the driver had received education from the licencing team in 2019 and yet continued to use a mobile phone again whilst driving after this education.

Using a mobile phone whilst driving is dangerous which is why it is an offence. The committee was concerned to view CCTV footage of the driver driving with both hands off the wheel and was seen smoking in the vehicle. There had been numerous complaints of poor behaviour and taking everything into account of what the committee had seen and heard do not believe that the driver is a fit and proper person and believe it is proportionate and necessary to revoke the licence with immediate effect.