Issue - meetings

A report by the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) is attached.

(E)              The Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted by the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) regarding applications for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicle Drivers’ Licences. 

    The Applicants were invited to attend the meeting for separate hearings and invited to address the Panel separately on their applications  and any matters referred to in the Officer’s report. 

1.     Applicant 15/2018 attended the meeting and was unaccompanied.  The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed and the Licensing Unit Manager read the report, which was accepted by the Applicant. This explained that the Applicant had been convicted at North and West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on 19 October 2016 for failing to give information as to identity of a driver for which he was fined £440.00 and received 6 penalty points on his DVLA Licence.  It was explained that the Applicant had been caught, by a parked Police car, speeding on the motorway whilst driving to Scotland, however, the Applicant moved address and did not inform the DVLA and was unaware of the fine issued.  Subsequently a Court date was arranged which the Client failed to attend as he was unaware of it.

The Applicant explained that he has been in Bury since 2005 and has been working in a takeaway.  He is now engaged and due to marry next year and he would like the opportunity to become a Private Hire Driver in order to provide financially for his wife.

Delegated decision:

The Panel carefully considered the written report and the oral representations made by the Applicant and taking into account the Council’s Conviction Policy and Guidelines and in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 resolved, unanimously, that the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence by Applicant 15/2018 be granted.

The Panel noted:

·         The Applicant knew the seriousness of speeding.

·         The Applicant showed remorse for his action.

At 10.00 pm the Licensing and Safety Panel agreed to suspend standing orders to continue the meeting.

2.     Applicant 16/2018 attended the meeting and was accompanied by his wife and Councillor Preston.  The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed and the Licensing Unit Manager read the report, which was accepted by the Applicant. This explained that the Applicant has previously held both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences granted by this Authority since 4 May 1994. 

The Applicant’s Hackney Carriage Driver Licence was revoked by the Licensing and Safety Panel on 12 January 2015 due to racial harassment, using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress (section 5 Public Order Act 1986).  The report also listed a chronology of previous incidents where the Applicant’s volatile behaviour have come to the attention of the Licensing Service, for which he had received verbal warnings and or sent formal warning letters. 

The Applicant appeared before the Licensing and safety Panel on 6 April, 2009, and the Panel resolved that he be sent a final warning letter; the Applicant then appeared before the Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131