Issue - meetings

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

1. Licence holder 19/2018 attended the meeting and was represented by Mr Khan, Solicitor and accompanied by his Father. The Chair welcomed the licence holder and introduced the Licensing and Safety Panel and the Council Solicitor outlined the procedure to be followed.

        The Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted by the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services), which was accepted by the licence holder and his Solicitor.

        The report explained that the licence holder is a licensed Private Hire driver and his licence is due to expire on 17 October 2019.The licence holder also has a licensed Private Hire vehicle which has been licensed continuously since 9 May 2017 and expires on 9 May 2019.  During the period from 10 May 2017 to 15 October 2018, time the licence holder has been spoken to and received written warnings regarding incorrect signage being displayed on the vehicle on 9 separate occasions and has persistently breached the Private Hire conditions.  Therefore, the licence holder is now before the Licensing and Safety Panel.

        The Licensing Unit Manager explained that the licence holder was scheduled to attend the last meeting on 6 December 2018 but due to being involved in a road traffic accident on 30 November 2018, was unable to attend and the hearing was adjourned.

        Mr Khan, Solicitor, had provided the Licensing and Safety Panel with a full witness statement prior to the meeting, explaining the personal circumstances of the licence holder.

        The licence holder and his Solicitor, Mr Khan addressed the Panel and explained that it was accepted that the licence holder had breached the licensing conditions and is now very remorseful.  They explained that the licence holder had purchased a new vehicle, a Mercedes E Class AMG, which he was very proud of as he had never owned a car like this before.

        Although he had displayed relevant signage on the vehicle, it was not approved operator signage and he had cut down stickers on magnets, to make them more aesthetically pleasing and blend in with the vehicle, as well as avoid damage to the paintwork.  Following the road traffic accident on 30 November, 2018, the car was now ‘written off’ and he was driving a Passat car belonging to his operator, with full correct signage.

        The licence holder accepted that his behaviour was completely inappropriate and that it was paramount that correct signage was displayed for the public to ensure they entered the correct vehicle.  It was explained to the Panel that the licence holder’s brother had passed away in unexpected circumstances in September 2015, leaving this client as the main financial provider in the household, with his wife, Mother and Father, his three children and widowed sister in law and her four children. 

        Mr Khan explained that the licence holder was a model driver in every other way and it was very important to keep his licence in order to provide for his family.  The licence holder reiterated how remorseful he was and fully appreciated the importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 293