Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted by B Thomson- Assistant Director Public Protection & Resilience and Councillors D Green, M Hayes and D Hill.

Councillors S Haroon, A Chaudhry and G Martin acted as substitute representatives for Councillors Green, Hayes and Hill.

Members of the Licensing and Safety Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest. 

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meetings held on the 9^th and 21^st July 2026 are attached. Members of the Licensing and Safety Committee are asked to consider whether these are a correct record of the meeting, and if so, to formally approve them.

Delegated decision:

That the Minutes of the last meetings held on the 9^th July and 21^st July 2026 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Committee is responsible. Questions from members of the public may only be asked if notice has been given no later than midday two days before the day of the meeting.

A questioner who is present at the meeting and who has submitted a written question may, at the discretion of the Chair, ask one supplementary question. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply. A question must relate to an item included on the agenda, referenced in the Minutes or an area to which the committee has responsibility.

No questions had been pre submitted to the meeting and no members of the public were in attendance at the meeting.

A report from the Executive Director (Corporate Core) is attached.

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:

The Licensing Service had dealt with a number of compliance and enforcement matters

between July and the 28^th August 2026 in respect of clients and vehicles. A table in the report detailed this information.

LICENSING HEARINGS SUB- COMMITTEES

A number of Licensing Hearing Sub-Committees had taken place over the past few

months and these were listed within the report providing information on each

application and the decisions taken.

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSIONS

Following consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee, the

licensing Service had immediately suspended six drivers due to them no longer

being registered on the DBS update Service.

PRIVATE HIRE SUPPORT FUND

Members were advised that Bury Council was supporting the Greater Manchester

Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Support Fund, a regional initiative aimed at improving air

quality by assisting eligible private hire vehicle proprietors to replace older, non-

compliant vehicles with cleaner alternatives.

The £2 million fund would provide grants of up to £2,500 to eligible private hire vehicle

licence holders to replace non-compliant vehicles. The scheme is being administered by the Growth Company on behalf of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities.

The fund was targeted at proprietors of diesel-powered private hire vehicles first registered before the 1^st September 2015 that do not meet the required emissions standards. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for financial assistance towards the purchase of a compliant replacement vehicle, including zero-emission capable vehicles and vehicles meeting the required Euro emissions standards. Wheelchair accessible vehicles replaced through the scheme must be replaced with another wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Ahead of the fund opening in September 2026, Bury Council had issued communications to all licensed private hire vehicle proprietors to ensure that those who may be eligible are aware of the support available. Licence holders have been directed to an online eligibility checker and encouraged to begin considering suitable replacement vehicles were appropriate.

Once the fund opens, eligible applicants will be required to submit an application through a dedicated portal and provide the necessary supporting documentation. Successful applicants will receive a Fund Award Notification and will have four months to purchase and licence a compliant replacement vehicle before grant payment is released. The grant will be paid following submission of evidence that the replacement vehicle has been licensed with the local authority.

TRADE LIAISON MEETING

On the 7^th September 2026, the Licensing Service held a trade liaison meeting with the

Hackney and Private Trade. The Licensing Unit Manager added a verbal update to the

meeting:-

• Representatives attended from Bury Council, GMP and trade associations in attendance.
• GMP reported 22 taxi-related incidents across the previous three months, including 5 assaults, vehicle damage, racial abuse, bilking, theft of taxi plates and disturbances. GMP advised there was no identifiable increase linked to the World Cup.
• Concerns were raised regarding stolen taxi plates. Members reiterated  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSP.5

Any other business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

No urgent business was reported at the meeting.

To consider passing the appropriate resolution under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business since it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information stated.

Delegated decision:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business since it involved the likely disclosure of information relating to individuals who hold Licences granted by the Authority or Applicants for Licences provided by the Authority. </AI7>

A report from the Executive Director (Corporate Core) is attached.

Licence Holder 04/2026

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report relating to licence holder 04/2026, who was in attendance at the meeting with their representative. The Chair made introductions and along with the Legal Advisor outlined the procedure to be followed and clarified that all those present had read the report.

The report, which was accepted by the licence holder and presented by the Licensing Unit Manager, set out the reasons for the licence holder being before the Committee.

The Licensing Unit Manager reported and presented background information to the Committee on this case.

Members of the Committee asked a number of questions in relation to the case.

The licence holder was before members for consideration to be given as to their suitability to be a private hire driver in Bury.

Delegated decision:

The Committee carefully considered the report and oral representations by the Licence Holder and their representative.

Taking into account the Council’s Conviction Policy and Guidelines and in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 177 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, the Committee resolved to grant the renewal application for a three-year period, however, this was subject to an immediate suspension for a period of two months on the grounds of public safety and safeguarding of the public.

It was noted by the Committee that the decision to allow the renewal application was outside the normal policy but in this instance the Committee felt there were mitigating circumstances presented by the licence holder and their representative in this case.

The driver was informed of their right to appeal this decision to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receiving written notification.