Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillor D.W.R. Preece declared an interest during the course of the meeting.  Details are minuted with the respective item.

Councillor D.W.R. Preece declared a personal and prejudicial interest regarding application no. 1 of Newbridge as the applicant is known to him, and left the meeting during consideration of the item.  Councillor P.J. Bevan presided as Chair for this item.

The Taxi and General Sub Committee unanimously RESOLVED that for the reasons outlined at the meeting and to the applicant when present, application no. 1 of Newbridge for a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence, be granted for a period of 3 years, subject to the production of a satisfactory medical certificate.  The Sub Committee took into account the differing nature of the offences, and the length of time that had passed without further incident since these had occurred, and held that the safety of the public would not be put at risk should the licence be granted.

The Taxi and General Sub Committee, by a majority 2-1 decision, RESOLVED that for the reasons outlined at the meeting and to the applicant when present, application no. 2 of Phillipstown, New Tredegar for a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence, be refused. 

The Sub Committee took into account the seriousness of the offence and determined that as the conviction-free period of 3 years since the disqualification period ended as set out in the Council’s Fitness Criteria for Drivers and Operators had not yet elapsed, there was no reason in this instance to defer from the policy. 

The Sub Committee were not sufficiently satisfied that public safety would not be at risk and held that the licence should not be granted at this time.  The applicant was informed of his right of appeal in that he had 21 days following receipt of the written decision notice to appeal to the local Magistrates Court.

The Taxi and General Sub Committee unanimously RESOLVED that for the reasons outlined at the meeting and to the applicant when present, application no. 3 of Oakdale, Blackwood for a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence, be granted for a period of 3 years, subject to a letter of warning as to the driver’s future conduct being sent.

The Sub Committee determined that the conviction-free periods set out in the policy had elapsed, and accepted the applicant’s evidence of remorse and his explanation of the circumstances surrounding each incident.  The Sub Committee had concerns regarding two offences of a similar nature but concluded that there had been no further offences of this nature since December 2016 and were satisfied that public safety would not be at risk should the licence be granted.