Issue - meetings

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 was granted a licence for a probationary period of six months, with a CRB check to be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense on completion of the probationary term.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report to request that Members consider and determine an application for a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage (Joint Driver) Licence.  The report detailed the contents of the application, together with information on the applicant’s convictions and the Council’s adopted guidance on dealing with such matters.  She stated that whilst the applicant had failed to disclose any previous convictions on the application form, receipt of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure had indicated otherwise.  The applicant had been requested to provide a written explanation of his convictions which was appended to the report.

5.1       Representations by the Applicant

The Chairman invited the applicant to make representations and provide further explanation on his convictions.  The applicant responded to the questions put to him by the Panel and the Solicitor, stating that he was aware of the legal requirement to disclose any previous offences but that he had not been aware of the exact dates and nature of the convictions.  He added that he had responded immediately to the Council’s request for a written explanation and drew attention to the length of time since his convictions, making reference to his changed circumstances.

5.2       Determination of the Application

The applicant and Senior Licensing Officer were then requested to leave the room to enable the Panel to consider the application.  The meeting was reconvened once a decision had been reached.

5.3       Decision

The Chairman explained that having considered the report by the Senior Licensing Officer and representations made by the applicant, the Sub-Committee had agreed to grant the applicant a Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence for a probationary period of six months.  He added that the applicant would need to apply for a CRB check at his own expense on completion of the probationary term.

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 was granted a licence for a probationary period of six months, with a CRB check to be undertaken at the applicant’s own expense on completion of the probationary term.