Agenda and minutes

The Service Manager – Democratic Services who was producing the meeting formally commenced the meeting and jointly welcomed all present and those externally viewing the Licensing & Regulatory Sub-Committee.

A number of housekeeping matters and remote meeting guidance were highlighted to all.

To seek nominations for the election of Chair for this sub-committee meeting.

It was unanimously

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Clive Springett be elected as Chair.

No apologies for absence were received.

Any member who is substituting for another member should so indicate, together with the name of the relevant absent member.

No substitutions were declared, however, it was noted that Councillor Rachel Hood (the named substitute for the Sub-Committee) was in attendance in order to observe proceedings.

Following which, the Democratic Services Officer verbally outlined all Members of the Sub-Committee who were present together with the names of the Officers supporting the meeting.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary or local non pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, no later than when that item is reached and, when appropriate, to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

There were no declarations of interest made.

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, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED:

That the press and public 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 the items and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report No: DEV/WS/21/003

(On commencing this agenda item it became apparent that the applicant had not connected to the meeting after having indicated to the Licensing Authority that they intended to. The Chair allowed an adjournment to enable the Democratic Services Officer to attempt to reach the individual via telephone. However, prior to the Officer presenting the report the applicant joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams.)

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) welcomed all present for this item, reported that no declarations of interest had been received and introductions to the Panel and accompanying Officers were made.

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) then outlined the procedure for the conduct of the Hearing as attached to the agenda and sought the applicant’s approval for Councillor Rachel Hood to remain in the meeting in order to observe proceedings.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which explained that Members were requested to consider an application for a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

The Sub-Committee needed to be satisfied that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence issued by the Council.

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) drew attention to the written statement that had been submitted by the applicant and which had been circulated as a supplement to the agenda papers.  Members were advised that the document contained a minor error in that it referenced the year 1986 when it should have read 1985.

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

Following which the three Members of the Sub-Committee, the observing Councillor, the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) and the Democratic Services Officer withdrew from the meeting and joined a separate private meeting to allow the Sub-Committee to give further consideration to the matter.

Following all parties’ return to the main meeting 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 no deliberate concealment had taken place and the good driving record held since the applicant was first granted a driver’s licence by the Licensing Authority merited the granting of the application. Accordingly, THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE APPLICATION WAS GRANTED.