Agenda and minutes

Members of Licensing and Safety 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 raised in relation to any items on the agenda.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meting held on 4 March 2014.  A copy of the minutes is attached.

Delegated decision:

That the Minutes of the Licensing and Safety Panel meeting held on 4 March 2014, 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 about the work or performance of the Council or the Council’s Services.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.

There were no questions raised under this item.

Councillor Jones informed the Committee that the next Taxi Liaison meeting would take place on 30 April 2014 and Members would be updated at the next meeting of the Licensing and Safety Panel on the discussions of this meeting.

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

There was no urgent business to report 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.

A report by the Assistant Director (Localities) is attached.

The Assistant Director (Localities) submitted a report regarding applications for Public/Private Hire Vehicles Drivers’ Licences.

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

The applicants were invited to attend the meeting for separate hearings. The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed and the applicants were invited to address the Panel separately on their applications and any matters referred to in the Officer’s report.  The Licensing Manager read out the contents of each report which were accepted by the applicants.

1.   The Applicant 08/2014 who was unrepresented, was invited to address the Panel. He explained that he had previously been a bus driver and made a mistake by driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. Since the return of his licence he had driven professionally and now wanted to be a Private Hire Driver. He further stated he had no points on his licence and had never been convicted of any other offence.

Delegated decision:

            The Panel carefully considered all the representations and evidence submitted and taking into account the Council’s Conviction Guidelines, the Panel found that:

·         The offence had been committed 6 years ago.

·         The Applicant realised his mistake and the effect it had on him.

·         The Applicant had been driving since the return of his licence in December 2009.

·         The Applicant had no further endorsements or convictions.

The Panel therefore determined the applicant to be a fit and proper person in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence was granted.

2.   The Applicant 09/2014 who was represented by Mr Tariq, was invited to address the Panel. It was explained that the offence for which the Applicant was cautioned was committed almost 5 years ago and resulted from a misunderstanding with the Police as to the registration details of the vehicle the Applicant was driving. The police had stopped the Applicant in a vehicle and had checked the wrong registration details. This had suggested the vehicle he was driving was uninsured. This led to a dispute and the Applicant was arrested. When the mistake was realised, he was released but cautioned for his actions towards the police The Applicant stated he regretted his actions.

Delegated decision:

     Panel from the Manager which stated that the Applicant was highly respected and a model employee.

    The character witness who accompanied the Applicant stated that she had regularly used taxis driven by the Applicant and on one occasion had left her phone in the taxi, which the Applicant had returned to her. The witness stated she had been out with the Applicant when the first theft incident had taken place and that the witness had advised the Applicant to move away from the area. The witness confirmed that the Applicant had moved away from the area, was still working in Newcastle and had redeemed himself.

     Mr Khan stated that the Applicant was very remorseful for his past and now  ...  view the full minutes text for item 950.