Decision details

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

The Licensing Team Leader explained that the application had asked for details of any previous convictions and the applicant had disclosed a number of past convictions which were detailed on an old disclosure document.  On receipt of the applicant’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records disclosure all convictions and offences were shown.  Written explanations of all the convictions were appended to the report.  Due to the number of convictions the applicant was invited to appear before the Licensing Sub Committee to determine whether he was a fit and proper person to hold a Joint Driver Licence. 

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

The applicant referred to the written explanation which was appended to the report to address his convictions and provided background information and explanation of all the offences which had been committed during his youth.  He responded to the questions raised concerning his personal and family circumstances and provided details of his employment background and his current role working for a charitable organisation. 

The Solicitor questioned the applicant in detail concerning his convictions.  The applicant said he deeply regretted all his offences and explained that they had occurred at a time when he had personal problems with substance abuse.  He reiterated the circumstances which had provoked them and emphasised that he had been free of convictions for many years.  The applicant explained he was a reformed character who drew on his past experiences to help people who found themselves in similar difficult circumstances to change their lives for the better.  

When asked, the applicant replied that he regarded himself as a fit and proper person to hold a licence and referred to his stable family life, good employment record and future career prospects. 

                        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 application was determined.              

3.1       Determination of the Application  

                        In determining the application, the Sub Committee 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 length of time since the last conviction and felt that the applicant had given a full and credible account of his actions.   The Panel agreed that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint) Driver Licence. 

                        The Licensing Team Leader and the applicant were invited to return and the meeting was reconvened.

3.2       Decision

                        The Chairman advised the applicant that the Sub Committee had decided that he had given a full and credible account of his actions and his previous convictions and had agreed to grant the application. 

RESOLVED:

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