Issue - meetings

Report No: LSC/WS/21/005

(Prior to commencing this item the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) sought consent from the applicant to allow the Licensing Officers present to remain in the meeting in order to observe proceedings for training purposes.)

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) welcomed all present to the Hearing, reported that no declarations of interest had been received and introductions to all parties were made.

He also drew attention to the procedure for the conduct of the Hearing as attached to the agenda.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which explained that Members were requested to determine an application for a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence under the provisions of Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Members needed to be satisfied that that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence issued by the Council. 

The Officer drew attention to the documentation submitted at Appendices 1 – 4 of Report No LSC/WS/21/005, noting that a replacement version of Appendix 2 had been circulated separately due to the agenda due to the poor resolution quality of the original.

The applicant attended the meeting, together with a consort, to present their case and answer Members’ questions.

Following which the applicant, their consort and all Licensing Officers retired to another room to allow the Sub-Committee to give further consideration to the matter.

Following all parties’ return to the meeting room the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) advised on the Sub-Committee’s decision.

It was

RESOLVED:

That, having taken into account all representations received both in writing and orally, considered alongside the Licensing Authority’s duty to protect the public, Members accepted that the applicant’s circumstances in 2019 was a personal matter and it did not affect their status as a fit and proper person to be granted a licence. The Sub-Committee were satisfied that there was no risk to other persons.

Accordingly, THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE APPLICATION WAS GRANTED. 

Prior to closing the meeting the Chair addressed the applicant, wished them well and reminded them to ensure they complied with the West Suffolk Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Conditions Handbook at all times.

Report No: LSC/WS/21/004

(Prior to commencing this item the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) sought consent from the applicant to allow the Licensing Officers present to remain in the meeting in order to observe proceedings for training purposes.)

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) welcomed all present to the Hearing, reported that no declarations of interest had been received and introductions to all parties were made.

He also drew attention to the procedure for the conduct of the Hearing as attached to the agenda.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which explained that Members were requested to determine an application for a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence under the provisions of Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Members needed to be satisfied that that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence issued by the Council. 

The Officer drew attention to the documentation submitted at Appendices 1 – 5 of Report No LSC/WS/21/004.

The applicant attended the meeting to present their case and answer Members’ questions.

Following which the applicant and all Licensing Officers retired to another room to allow the Sub-Committee to give further consideration to the matter.

Following all parties’ return to the meeting room the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) advised on the Sub-Committee’s decision.

It was

RESOLVED:

That, having taken into account all representations received both in writing and orally, considered alongside the Licensing Authority’s duty to protect the public, Members accepted that the applicant’s incident in 2017 was an isolated matter.

And, after careful consideration, the Sub-Committee decided that they could depart from the policy requirement concerned as they were satisfied that re-offending was unlikely and, based on the information before them, the applicant was a fit and proper person to be granted a licence.

Accordingly, THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE APPLICATION WAS GRANTED. 

Prior to closing the meeting the Chair addressed the applicant and cautioned as to their future conduct.