Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no substitutes at the meeting.

It was unanimously

          RESOLVED:

          That Councillor Carol Lynch be elected as 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.

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.

Report No: LSC/FH/16/002

(a)                 Review of Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence (para 1)

The Lawyer welcomed all present to the Hearing, reported that no declarations of interest had been received and introductions to the Panel were made by the Chairman.

The Lawyer outlined 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 review a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence under the provisions of Section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Sub-Committee needed to be satisfied that the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence issued by the Council; the Licensing Officer drew attention to Appendix 3 (of Report No LSC/FH/16/002) which set out the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Disciplinary Code and which served as guidance for Members. 

The Officer also outlined the steps available to Members in reaching their determination of the case before them.

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

Following which the Sub-Committee retired to another room to give further consideration to the matter.

On returning to the Council Chamber the Lawyer advised all on the Sub-Committee’s decision.

With the vote being unanimous, it was

          RESOLVED:

That a warning be issued to the licence holder about their future conduct and 8 penalty points be applied to the licence in accordance with the Council’s Disciplinary Code.