Decision details

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report to consider the recent conduct and convictions of a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Driver, and to determine whether he remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold the licence.

The Chairman invited the applicant to make representations and he provided information on his recent speeding conviction and clarified the reason for his decision to accept a short driving ban rather than additional penalty points.  He explained that he had been rushed to pick up a regular passenger who required assistance due to her disability.  He explained that since the conviction he had reduced the number of hours and days he worked to ensure in future his concentration was not affected.

The applicant referred to his written representations which had been included on the agenda and shared background information on the complaints made against him.  He responded to questions raised by the panel.

In response to questions from the panel, the applicant provided clarification on various aspects of the complaints and also on his employment background, stating that he had been advised to install a dashboard camera to protect himself against any future complaints.

The Solicitor sought clarification on comments made by the applicant on recent work he had undertaken.  The applicant clarified that he had spoken with a member of the Council’s Licencing Team who had advised that he could continue to work until the Licensing Sub-Committee had met to determine whether he could continue to hold a licence. 

When the Chairman was satisfied that all relevant questions had been raised, he requested that the applicant and the Licensing Team Leader leave the meeting whilst the panel reached a decision.

4.1       Determination of the Application

In determining the application, the panel considered the Council’s guidance on the treatment of convictions which was appended to the report.  The panel considered the circumstances involved in each case and the precautionary steps being taken by the applicant and felt that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers Licence.

The panel agreed that it would be appropriate for the licence holder to sit and pass the knowledge test, which all new applicants have to pass before becoming licensed, within six weeks of the meeting.

The Licensing Team Leader and the applicant were invited to return so that the meeting could be reconvened.

4.2       Decision

The Chairman advised that having considered the representations made, panel agreed that the applicant could continue to have a private hire/hackney carriage drivers’ licence.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire/           Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence under the Local Government   (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and that the Licence be granted;             and

(b)       That the applicant sit and pass the knowledge test, which all new    applicants have to pass before becoming licensed, within six weeks      of the meeting.