Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 21^st October 2014 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st October 2014 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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 items 3 and 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.

(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)

Prior to the consideration of the cases of the Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage Drivers Licences that had been referred to the Sub-Committee, Members agreed to consider a verbal update from Mr Marshall, Licensing Health and Safety Enforcement Officer, on the current situation in relation to Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages.

Mr Marshall reported on a number of serious concerns that had been brought to the attention of the Licensing Service in relation to Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages following the changes to the road layout on the Promenade.  He suggested that a detailed report be brought to the Sub-Committee at its next meeting.  He also asked the Sub-Committee to consider deferring consideration of the cases in relation to Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licences until after Members had received the report to enable them to be considered within the wider context of the current issues. 

During a general discussion, Members generally considered that it would be advantageous to receive a report on the current issues in relation to Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages at the Sub-Committee’s next meeting.  However, concerns were raised at the potential impact of any delay in consideration of the specific cases currently before the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee was therefore informed of three Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages that had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

KC, PS and CJWS were in attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:

1.      To receive a detailed report on the current situation with regard to Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriages at its meeting on 16^th December 2014.

2.      To consider the specific cases relating to Horse-Drawn Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence that had been referred for consideration at this meeting.

3.      That in the case of KC, a severe warning letter be issued regarding future conduct as the Sub-Committee was satisfied that on the balance of probability the incident had occurred resulting in significant public safety concerns and the conduct was far below the standard expected of a licensed driver.

4.      That in the case of PS, a severe warning letter be issued regarding future conduct as the Sub-Committee was satisfied that on the balance of probability the incident had occurred resulting in significant public safety concerns and the conduct was far below the standard expected of a licensed driver.

5.      That in the case of CJWS, a warning letter be issued regarding future conduct as the incident that had occurred had resulted in public safety concerns and was below the standard expected of a licensed driver.

Background papers:  Exempt

(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 four new applications for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence that had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

DKA, NC, NLD, supported by a Director of Blacktax Radio Taxis Ltd and DU were in attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:

1.      That in the case of DA, no action be taken to prosecute for failure to declare a previous conviction.

2.      That in the case of DA, the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be granted.

3.      That in the case of NC, the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused on the grounds that he is not a fit and proper person due to  the nature and seriousness of  his previous convictions and the insufficient length of time that had elapsed since his previous licence was revoked.

4.      That in the case of NLD, the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be granted, subject to a warning letter being issued regarding future conduct.

5.      That in the case of DU, the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused on the grounds that he is not a fit and proper person due to the significant number of previous convictions and the pattern and frequency of those convictions.

Background papers:  Exempt

To note the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 16^th December 2014.

Members noted the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 16^th December 2014.

The Chairman informed Members of the likelihood that the start time for the next meeting would be later than usual due to the possibility of a Licensing Committee being convened prior to the start of the Public Protection Sub-Committee meeting.