Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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

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.

The report outlined the requirements of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the need for the Licensing Authority to be satisfied that a person issued with a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.  The Act allows licensing authorities to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew existing licences for a number of reasons, and conditions can also be attached to vehicle driver licences.  

Members were informed that a licensed driver (Mr T) was seeking an amendment to an existing condition on his hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver’s licence, and therefore the matter had been referred to the Taxi and General Sub Committee for determination.

The Sub Committee considered the report of the Senior Licensing Officer and supporting information in relation to the matter and also carefully listed to Mr T’s explanation of the reasons for his application to amend the existing licence condition.

Having regard to the Officer’s report and all the representations made, the Sub Committee unanimously RESOLVED not to alter the existing licence condition.  As the circumstances surrounding the licence condition are still relatively recent, the Sub Committee felt that the current condition placed on the licence continues to be appropriate.  Members held that the additional burden placed on the driver in this respect does not outweigh considerations towards public safety.

The Legal Advisor informed Mr T that if he was aggrieved by the decision, then he had 21 days following receipt of the written decision notice to appeal to the local Magistrates Court but that it would be for the Magistrates Court to determine his right of appeal.

            The Chair thanked all parties for their attendance and the meeting closed at 10.57 a.m.