Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None were received.  

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items as they were considered to contain exempt information by virtue of paragraphs 12 and 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

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.

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report to consider an application for a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Driver Licence.

The Chairman invited the applicant to make representations and to give a full explanation of his previous convictions detailed on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records disclosure.

The applicant provided details of the background which led to the offences that had taken place as outlined in the DBS to which he regretted.  He confirmed that he had attended a relevant course for his DR10 offence which had reduced his initial 18 month driving ban.

In response to questions from the panel, the applicant provided clarification on various aspects of his convictions including details of his personal life which included how often he looked after his child on a weekly basis.  He apologised sincerely for the irresponsible mistakes and the incorrect judgements he had made on both occasions. In responding to further questions he said he considered himself to be a fit and proper person.

The Solicitor asked further questions in relation to the incidents outlined in the DBS disclosure, including why only a caution was given for the procession of drugs offence.  The applicant explained that it was as he had not been in trouble previously.  He confirmed that he did not have any problems with either alcohol or drugs.

In conclusion, the applicant added that since the last incident he had turned his life around for the sake of himself and his child and he had been offered a full time job with a taxi firm which would provide a great opportunity for him to make a better life for them both.

The Licensing Team Leader read out two personal references that had been received for the applicant.

When the Chairman was satisfied that all relevant questions had been raised, he requested that the applicant, his representative 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 felt that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Drivers Licence.

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 the panel had considered the representations made by all parties and they agreed to grant the application.

RESOLVED:

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.