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.

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 4 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.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 June 2023 as a true and correct record.

The Sub-Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 June

2023.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2023 be approved and

signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

A report updating the Sub-Committee about the changes in Safety Certification at Blackpool Football Club.

Michelle Wilson, Head of Building Control presented a report to the Sub-Committee informing them of the change in the Safety Certification of the Football Ground to a risk-based Safety Certification.

The Sub-Committee noted the changes in approach highlighted in the report. It also noted there were no significant issues currently with the operation of the stadium and that the capacity would remain unchanged from the existing certificate. The Sub-Committee considered the change in certification reasonable and agreed the revised approach was proportionate.

Resolved:
1. To agree the transition from current prescriptive safety certificate to risk-based safety certificate for Blackpool Football Ground

2. To agree to delegate approval of the new Ground Safety Certificate to the Head of Building Control.

To consider new applicants and existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence Holders who have been convicted of offences or who have otherwise given reasons for concern.

(This item contains personal information regarding a licence holder or applicant 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 the cases for existing Hackney Carriage licence holders and new applicants for Private Hire and an existing Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licences who had been convicted of offences or who had otherwise given the Licensing Authority cause for concern.

J.H
Mr Ryan Ratcliffe Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the case for the Local Authority, Mr Ratcliffe informed the Sub-Committee that a new application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence JH had failed to disclose previous driving convictions. JH had been convicted of 2 driving offences which had resulted in an 8 month disqualification from driving under the totting up procedure.

JH who was present before the Sub-Committee and had brought a friend to help them understand the process, informed the Sub-Committee he had been disqualified for a speeding offence, and for failing to give the identity of the driver. JH had since been working as a delivery driver since 2021 and JH had held a clean licence since the disqualification.

The Sub-Committee considered JH’s fitness and propriety for holding such a licence and agreed to grant the licence but issue a strict warning letter that in the event of any future incident the licence may be suspended or revoked.

Resolved:

That JH’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence be granted with a strict warning letter that in the event of any future misconduct the licence may be suspended or revoked.

T.H

The Sub-Committee considered the case of TH a new applicant for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence. It was noted that TH was not in attendance and considered that it would be beneficial if consideration could be deferred to the next meeting to enable them to attend.

Resolved:

That consideration of the Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence application in respect of TH be deferred to the meeting of the Sub-Committee on the 6 September 2023.

G.S

Mr Ratcliffe presented the case for the Local Authority and informed the Sub-Committee that an application for Private Hire Driver’s Licence had been received, upon a completed Disclosure and Barring Service check for GS, it revealed a conviction from March 2019 for driving a vehicle with excess alcohol resulting in a disqualification from driving. Mr Ratcliffe drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to section 10 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy in relation to driving offences which stated that a licence would not be granted until at least seven years had elapsed since the completion of any sentence or driving ban, only 3 years had passed since the completion of GS’s driving ban.

GS was present before the Sub-Committee explained the reasons that had led to a misguided decision of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. GS told the Sub-Committee they were attempting to prevent damage to their car by moving it a short distance to a location GS perceived to be safer.

The Sub-Committee considered the reasons behind GS’s actions and it was agreed that GS did not demonstrate their fitness and propriety to hold such a licence.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the date of the next meeting as 06 September 2023.

The date of the next meeting was noted as 6 September 2023.