Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 June 2018 as a true and correct record.

The Sub-Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 June 2018.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2018 be approved and signed by the

Chairman.

Resolved: That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the whole item, including the decisions referred to at Agenda item 3 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

(This item contains personal information regarding applicants and licence holders which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Sub-Committee was informed of two applicants who had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

Members discussed the applications as appropriate.

(i)                 D.A.M (New Applicant)

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Officer, was in attendance and advised the Sub-Committee that the applicant had a number of convictions for various offences, some of which had involved dishonesty, driving without insurance and driving while intoxicated. In addition, the applicant had failed to disclose many of those convictions on the application to be licensed.

The applicant expressed regret for his previous offences and claimed that he had made various lifestyle changes since the last offence which included a period of employment.  He added that he wished to put his past behind him and focus on his career. When asked why he had not declared some offences on the application, DAM suggested that he had not been aware that non-disclosure was an offence.

The Sub-Committee noted the applicant’s desire to improve his life through positive changes he claimed to have made and his desire to work. However, the number and nature of the offences combined with the dishonesty displayed by the applicant when choosing to omit parts of his offending history in the application process led Members to conclude there was no sufficient reason to depart from the policy on this occasion.

Resolved:

1.      To not prosecute the applicant for non-disclosure of offences on the application to be licensed.

2.      That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused due to the serious nature and frequency of the applicant’s conviction history.

(ii)               C.P.P (New Applicant)

The applicant was in attendance and made representations to the Sub-Committee. Following Mr Ratcliffe’s explanation that CPP had received a police caution for a theft related offence, the applicant explained difficult personal circumstances that had surrounded the incident. He regretted his decisions at the time and had paid back the money taken immediately following his formal caution.

CPP produced two favourable personal references, one from his current employer, which alleviated some of the Sub-Committee’s concerns. The level of regret and maturity displayed by the applicant combined with the way in which he answered Members questions and concerns led to a favourable view being taken of the application.

Resolved:

That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be granted.

Background papers: exempt

To note the date of the next meeting as 31 July 2018.

To note the date of the next meeting as 31 July 2018.