Agenda item

(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 applicants and an existing driver who had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

Members discussed the applications and referral as follows:

(i)          D.G.N (New applicant)

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Officer, was in attendance and advised the Sub-Committee that the applicant had a substantial history of offending covering a wide variety of offences, some of which had involved dishonesty and several serious driving related convictions that included some for drink-driving. In addition, DGN had failed to declare many of his convictions on the application.

The applicant was in attendance and demonstrated regret for his actions. He explained to the Sub-Committee that he had shown poor judgement on a number of occasions during his life which had led him to reoffend on multiple occasions.  In response to questions from Members regarding three incidents of drink driving each of which had led to an extended ban from driving, the applicant admitted he had behaved recklessly but explained he no longer had a problem with alcohol.

The Sub-Committee was mindful of the applicant’s lack of convictions in the last 15 years and expression of remorse in relation to his previous convictions. However, given the number and nature of those convictions and a pattern of re-offending and propensity for drink-driving, Members were minded to take serious action to encourage future compliance and ensure the safety of the public.

Resolved:

1. That the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused on the grounds that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to be licensed.

2. Not to prosecute the applicant for non-disclosure of prior convictions on the application to be licensed.

(ii)               F.T (New applicant)

The applicant was not in attendance and requested that the hearing be deferred to allow him to invite a legal representative to attend.

Resolved:

That consideration of the case be deferred until the next Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 5 June 2018.

(iii)             J.H.S (New applicant)

The applicant was not in attendance and requested that the hearing be deferred as he had a prior engagement to attend.

Resolved:

That consideration of the case be deferred until the next Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 5 June 2018.

(iv)              S.D.H (Existing driver)

The applicant was not in attendance and requested that the hearing be deferred until the 3 July 2018 meeting. Members felt that such a delay would be unacceptable and the driver had been given adequate notice to attend in either May or June 2018. As such and without grounds to defer consideration further, the Sub-Committee agreed to hear the case in the driver’s absence.

Mr Ratcliffe reported that SDH had numerous convictions for speeding over an extended period and three of those convictions occurred during a two month period in late 2017.

The Sub-Committee noted that the driver had not been brought before them previously but expressed concerns about his apparent propensity for speeding and lack of respect for motoring laws.

Resolved:

To revoke the Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence on the grounds that SDH had fallen short of the standards expected of a licensed driver.

Background papers: exempt