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 08 December 2020 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2020 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Resolved: That under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item Three, Private Hire Driver.

To consider a licence holder who has either been convicted of offences or who has otherwise given reasons for concern.

(This item contains personal information regarding a licence holder 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 considered a licence holder, PAS, who had been convicted of offences or who had otherwise given reasons for concern.

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the case to the Sub-Committee. He informed Members that PAS was an existing Private Hire Driver’s licence holder, who had previously appeared before the Sub-Committee due to a number of historical convictions when they first applied to be licensed in March 2011 and was granted a licence with a severe warning letter at that time.

Members were informed that on 16 October 2020 the Licensing Service received a complaint from a Blackpool Council Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) in relation to verbal abuse received from a Private Hire Driver during the course of their duties. The driver, identified from bodycam footage by the Licensing Service as PAS, used foul language towards the CEO having been given a Penalty Charge Notice for parking next to a school’s “keep clear” zig zag markings. Mr Ratcliffe suggested that such behaviour falls well below that expected of a licensed driver and asked the Sub-Committee to give careful consideration to PAS’s fitness and propriety to continue to be licensed.

Footage from the CEO’s body camera was played to the Sub-Committee which showed PAS verbally remonstrating with the CEO from within their vehicle. In response to questions from Members, PAS explained that they had only briefly parked there on the request of their passenger who lived at a property near the school. PAS confirmed they remained in their car with the engine still running whilst the passenger disembarked and that they only left their vehicle once the CEO had issued the ticket before driving away. They accepted their behaviour did not demonstrate the level of courtesy and respect expected from a licensed driver and advised the Sub-Committee that they regretted their behaviour during the incident.

The Sub-Committee considered the information submitted by all parties. While agreeing that the conduct of PAS fell below acceptable standards, the remorse of the driver was noted and on balance Members did not feel it was appropriate to suspend or revoke their licence.

Resolved: That a severe warning letter be issued in respect of the incident that in the event of future issues the licence may be suspended or revoked.

To note the date of the next meeting as 23 February 2021

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 23 February 2021