Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Carol Lynch.

There were no substitutes at the meeting.

Members of the public who live or work in the District are invited to put one question/statement of not more than 3 minutes duration relating to items to be discussed in Part 1 of the agenda only.  If a question is asked and answered in 3 minutes, the person who asked the question may ask a supplementary question that arises from the reply.

A person who wishes to speak must register at least 15 minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start.

There is an overall limit of 15 minutes for public speaking, which may be extended at the Chairman’s discretion.

There were no questions/statements from members of the public.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2015 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2015 were accepted by the Committee as an accurate record, with 7 voting for the motion and with 2 abstentions, and were signed by the Chairman.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded during the consideration of the following items because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt categories of information as prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and indicated against each item and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor David Bimson and with the vote being unanimous, it was

          RESOLVED:

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and indicated against each item and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report No: LIC/FH/15/007

The Committee was asked to consider an application for a Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence under the provisions of Part 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which explained that the application was before Members to determine in light of convictions declared by the applicant.  In view of which, the Committee needed to be satisfied that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence issued by the Council.  Attention was drawn to Appendix 3 (of Report No LIC/FH/15/007) which set out the Council’s Taxi and PHV Licensing Criminal Convictions’ Policy that served as guidance for Members.

The applicant had previously had his application heard by the Licensing Committee on 8 September 2014 when it was refused by Members.

Lastly, the Officer drew attention to the application form (attached as Appendix 1) and specifically Section 21, which had been completed incorrectly by the applicant.  The Officer confirmed that the applicant was entitled to work in the UK (contrary to what was stated on the application form) and she had seen documentation to prove this.

The applicant attended the meeting to present his case and answered Members’ questions.

Following which the applicant and the Licensing Officer left the meeting prior to the Committee’s deliberations.

Councillor Brian Harvey asked if it would be possible to issue some form of conditional licence, however, after checking the relevant legislation the Lawyer confirmed that this would not be possible.

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Ruth Allen that the application be approved and the license be granted and this was duly seconded by Councillor Bill Sadler.  Upon being put to the vote and with 6 voting for the motion and with 3 against, it was

          RESOLVED:

That the application for a Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence be granted.

The applicant and the Licensing Officer then re-joined the meeting in order to be advised by the Lawyer of the Committee’s decision.

The Chairman thanked the applicant for this attendance and wished him well from the Committee, he also advised the applicant to be careful and to consider the public at all times.