Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no declarations of interest made at the beginning or during the course of the meeting. 

The Taxi and General Sub Committee unanimously RESOLVED that for the reasons outlined at the meeting and to the applicant when present, the hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence held by applicant no. 1 of Caerphilly be allowed to continue, subject to a final letter of warning being sent in respect of the two offences discussed at the meeting. 

The Sub Committee held concerns regarding the short timespan between the two offences, but on balance, and having accepted the driver’s explanation of events, felt that a suspension or revocation of the licence was not justified and that the individual remained a fit and proper person to hold a licence.  However, it was emphasised to the driver that any further instances of offences, misconduct or breach of conditions would be brought back to the Sub Committee for consideration and would very likely lead to suspension or revocation of his licence.

            Members considered the public interest test certificate from the Proper Officer and concluded that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and it was

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as identified in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members were informed that information had been received which suggested that a licensed driver may no longer be considered fit and proper to hold a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence.  In light of this information, the Licensing Authority are required under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to consider whether the individual remains a fit and proper person to hold such a licence, and therefore the matter had been referred to the Taxi and General Sub Committee for determination.

Having considered the report of the Licensing Officer and additional information submitted by the driver, and for the reasons disclosed at the meeting, the Sub Committee unanimously agreed that the matter of Mr D in respect of his hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence be deferred to 12th July 2018.