Issue - meetings

Report from the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services is attached.

                   The Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted by the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) regarding applications for Public/Private Hire Vehicles Drivers’ Licences.

1.   Applicant 03/2019 attended the meeting and was unaccompanied.  The Licensing Unit Manager read the report, which was accepted by the Applicant. This explained that during the application process for a Private Hire Vehicles Drivers’ Licence, the Applicant had undertaken a Knowledge Test, which tests amongst other things, the Applicants ability to navigate from place to place around the Borough. However, during the test, the Applicant had been asked to leave as a result of his phone going off during the test, audibly referring to satellite navigation routes.

                   The Applicant addressed the Panel and explained that he had been using the device to revise routes before the test and had inadvertently forgotten to switch the device off.

                   It was reported that the Applicant had since re-sat and passed the test and had complied with all other requirements for his application.

                   Delegated decision:

                   The Panel carefully considered the report, the oral representations by the Applicant and after taking into account the Council’s Conviction Policy and Guidelines and in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and resolved, unanimously, that the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence by Applicant 03/2019 be granted.

                   The Panel noted that although this was a serious allegation, the Applicant had passed the test again with only 3 errors. The Panel agreed that he was a fit and proper person to hold a licence in Bury.

2.   Applicant 04/2019 attended the meeting and was unaccompanied.  The Licensing Unit Manager read the report, which was accepted by the Applicant, which explained that during the application process for a Private Hire Drivers Licence, the Applicant had been convicted of driving without insurance and had failed to notify the Licensing Service of this.

The Applicant addressed the Panel and explained the circumstances behind the conviction, which related to him agreeing to do a favour for a friend by delivering a takeaway for him, using his friend’s car.  The Applicant had mistakenly assumed his own motor insurance covered him for the journey. He apologised for the error.

                   Delegated decision:

                   The Panel carefully considered the report, the oral representations by the Applicant and after taking into account the Council’s Conviction Policy and Guidelines and in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and resolved, unanimously, that the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence by Applicant 04/2019 be granted.

The Panel noted the circumstances of the offence and that although a serious matter, the Applicant had shown remorse and this was his only driving conviction. The Panel agreed that he was a fit and proper person to hold a licence in Bury.

3.   Applicant 05/2019 attended the meeting and was accompanied by his wife, his uncle and his aunt to help with the interpretation.  

                        The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed and the Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9