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 two new applications for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence and a further two new applications for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence that had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

PSG, KH, JRM and MAP were in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Ratcliffe, Licensing Officer, presented the cases on behalf of the Authority. 

During consideration of the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence in respect of PSG, the Sub-Committee noted the serious nature of both the police caution and conviction but also acknowledged the length of time that had elapsed since they had been issued.  Members noted the applicant’s statement that he had been offered employment subject to the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence being granted.  The Sub-Committee also noted that the applicant had not yet undertaken the required knowledge test.

During consideration of the application for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence in respect of KH, the Sub-Committee noted the applicant’s driving offences, one of which had occurred as recently as July 2014.  Member’s considered the applicant’s representations relating to the circumstances surrounding the recent incident.   The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had passed the required knowledge test and had been offered employment subject to the application for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence being granted.

The Sub-Committee considered the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence in respect of JRM and noted the significant number of previous police cautions and convictions over an extended period of time and the serious nature of the offences relating to the cautions and convictions.  Members carefully considered representations from the applicant regarding the length of time that had elapsed since his last conviction and the change in his personal circumstances.  The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had not yet undertaken the required knowledge test and that he had received an offer of employment subject to the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence being granted.  Members expressed serious concerns regarding the applicant’s suitability to be licensed in view of his extensive history of serious driving offences and significant number of cautions and convictions.

Prior to consideration of the application in respect of MAP, the Sub-Committee was advised of additional information that had been received from the Police relating to the incident that had given cause for concern.  Following consideration of the additional information the Sub-Committee agreed that the information was relevant to the case.

The Sub-Committee considered the applicant’s concerns that he had only recently received notification of the additional information and had not had the opportunity to discuss it with his solicitor.  The applicant requested that consideration of the application be deferred should the additional information be included in the consideration of the application. 

The Sub-Committee considered representations from Mr Marshall, Licensing Health and Safety Enforcement Manager against deferral of the application.

Resolved:

1.      That in the case of PSG, the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence be granted subject to a warning letter being issued indicating that in the event of further offences the licence may be suspended or revoked.  The granting of the licence was also subject to the applicant passing the required knowledge test and satisfying any other relevant requirements of the Licensing Authority.

2.      That in the case of KH, the application for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence be granted subject to a warning letter being issued indicating that in the event of further offences the licence may be suspended or revoked.

3.      That in the case of JRM, the application for a Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence be refused on the grounds that he was not a fit and proper person to be licensed due to the significant number and serious nature of his cautions and convictions which included driving offences.

4.      To consider the additional information relating to the application for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence in respect of MAP.

5.      To defer consideration of the application for a Private Hire vehicle and Hackney Carriage driver’s licence in respect of MAP to a future meeting to enable the applicant the opportunity to consult with a solicitor. The date of the meeting to be determined following receipt of all relevant information.