Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor M Walsh.

There was no substitute representative for Councillor M Walsh.

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.

Councillor B Ibrahim placed on record that he knew of Licence holder 18/2025 from his ward but had no interest to declare so would continue to sit in the meeting during this case.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 19th February 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 meeting held on the 19^th February 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.

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

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 the 2^nd February 2026 and the 1^st March 2026.

LICENSING HEARINGS SUB- COMMITTEES

On the 3^rd March 2026, a Licensing Hearings Sub-Committee considered a personal licence due to the licence holder being convicted of a relevant offence under Schedule 4 of the Licensing Act 2003. Members considered the report and decided to revoke the personal licence.

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSIONS

The Licensing Service were continuing, following consultation with the Chair, to immediately suspend drivers who do not have a valid subscription with the DBS Update Service. Since the last Licensing and Safety Committee a further 7 drivers had been suspended.

Delegated decision:

It was agreed that the report be noted.

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

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report requesting that the Committee approve a further delegation to the Deputy Licensing Officer to immediately suspend or revoke a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licences following consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee in the interests of Public Safety. The Head of Public Protection and the Licensing Unit Manager have already been authorised to take this action.

Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 states that the Council may suspend or revoke or refuse to renew the licence of a driver of a private/public hire vehicle on any of the following grounds:

a) that he has since the grant of the licence:-

(i)      been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, indecency or violence; or

(ii)     been convicted of an offence under or has failed to comply with the provisions of the Act of 1847 or this Act; or

iii)   any other reasonable cause.

The Act also confers a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court and provides that an individual can continue to drive a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle during the period when an appeal can be lodged and if an appeal is lodged until the appeal is dismissed or withdrawn or fails for want of prosecution. Section 52 of the Road Safety Act, provides Licensing Authorities with a power to suspend or revoke a Hackney or Private Hire driver licences with immediate effect where they are of the opinion that the interests of public safety require such a course of action.

Members were reminded that the Council’s Constitution stated under the Licensing and Safety Committee terms of reference:-

To authorise the revocation or suspension of any Licence which falls within the purview of the Licensing and Safety Committee except in circumstances involving risk to the public safety in which case authority be delegated to the Head of Service (Public Protection) and/ or the Unit Manager (Licensing) after consultation with the Chair of the Committee to revoke or suspend a Licence with immediate effect subject to a report to the next Committee meeting.  

The Licensing Service was seeking an additional delegation from the Licensing and Safety Committee to also include the Deputy Licensing Officer in the Council’s constitution.

Delegated decision:

That the Licensing and Safety Committee approved to delegate for the Deputy Licensing Officer to immediately suspend or revoke a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licences following consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee in the interests of Public Safety.  

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 18/2025

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report relating to Licence Holder 18/2025, who was in attendance at the meeting.

The Chair made introductions and alongside 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 was presented by the Licensing Unit Manager and set out the reasons for them being before the Committee.

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

The Council’s legal advisor and a number of Members asked questions in relation to the case.

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

Delegated decision:

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

Taking into account the Council’s Conviction Policy and Guidelines and in accordance with the powers granted under Section 61(1)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Committee resolved to immediately suspend the licence for a period of 3 months.

Given the overriding duty to protect the public, the suspension was to take immediate effect, as permitted under Section 61(2B) of the Act, which allows for immediate suspension where it appears to the authority that such action is necessary in the interests of public safety.

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

Licence Holder 19/2025

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report relating to client 19/2025. The Licensing Unit Manager reported that the Licence Holder had requested that the case be deferred until a future meeting due to an appointment they were required to attend.

Delegated decision:

The Licencing Committee agreed that Licence Holder 19/2025 would be deferred for consideration at an upcoming meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee.