Agenda and minutes

Members of the Licensing and Safety Panel 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 made at the meeting.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Panel is responsible.

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

There were no public questions.

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.

It was agreed:

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 from the Executive Director (Operations) is attached.

SUSPENSION/REVOCATION for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver licence

Applicant 12/2020

The Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted by the Executive Director (Operations) regarding the suspension or revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

Applicant 12/2020 attended the meeting alone.

The Chair made introductions and Mike Caveney, Solicitor explained the procedure and ensured that the Applicant and members of the Licensing and Safety Panel had all read the report.  The report, which was accepted by the Applicant, explained that the client has been a licensed Private Hire Driver with this Authority since 19/06/2007 and has renewed his licence continuously.

On 19th August 2020, this client made an online application to renew his Private Hire Drivers licence. The client answered No to the question “do you have any convictions, fines or formal cautions”. However when a licensing advisor checked the client’s driving licence the following conviction was found, SP30 Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road. When the Licensing Departments computer systems were checked, this client had also not informed us of this conviction in writing within seven days as per the Private Hire Drivers Licence conditions.

The client stated that he apologises and regrets the oversight.  He explained that it had been a long time since he received the conviction and could not recall if he did declare it or not. He admitted that he had made an error in the process of not declaring the conviction and stated that he had misread the question on the application form and thought that it only referred to declaring criminal convictions. The client did state he now understands the correct process and will be careful to not make the same mistake again.

Delegated decision:

The Panel carefully considered the report, the oral and written representations by the Licence Holder and his representative and after taking into account Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, resolved, unanimously, to admonish the licensee as to future conduct and renew his licence.

The Panel noted that;

·         the Licence Holder was remorseful

·         the license Holder did not intend to be deceitful

·         the License Holder now understands the correct process

·         the Licensing and Safety Panel would have made the same decision if disclosed when he should have and so the License holder is not benefiting from none disclosure.

·         The license holder will receive a warning letter

Applicant 13/2020

The Licensing Unit Manager presented a report submitted by the Executive Director (Operations) regarding the suspension or revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

Applicant 13/2020 attended the meeting alone.

The Chair made introductions and Mike Caveney, Solicitor explained the procedure and ensured that the Applicant and members of the Licensing and Safety Panel had all read the report.  The report, which was accepted by the Applicant, explained that the client has been a licensed Private Hire Driver with this Authority since 23/01/2004 and has renewed his licence continuously. On 27th August 2020, this client made an online application to renew his Private Hire  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSP.217