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 Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Licence Holders and one applicant for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence who had been convicted of offences or given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration.

A.T (New Private Hire)

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Officer, was in attendance and presented the relevant information. Mr Ratcliffe highlighted that A.T. had been convicted of drink driving with the driving ban ending less than five years ago and had been convicted of more than 2 violent offences within the last ten years and therefore the application should be considered as not in line with the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

A.T. was in attendance and made representations to the Sub-Committee. A.T. expressed remorse for the incidents but asked members to bear in mind the relatively minor nature of the offences and these had all taken place when he had a problem with alcohol. A.T. emphasised that he no longer had issues with alcohol.

The Sub-Committee considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties. It agreed however that there were no grounds to depart from the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy given the volume of relevant offences and their recent nature.

Resolved:

That the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect A.T. be refused on the grounds that he is not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

M.N (Existing Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage)

Mr Ryan Ratcliffe, Licensing Officer, was in attendance and presented the relevant information. Mr Ratcliffe highlighted that M.N. had been involved in an incident reported to the Council where the Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage he was driving had nearly collided with a pedestrian having gone through a red light.

M.N. was in attendance and made representations to the Sub-Committee. He explained that in relation to the incident he had made an error of judgement but that it was not always possible to stop a horse drawn vehicle as quickly as a car. M.N expressed remorse but asked that his previous unblemished record having been licensed for many years be balanced

The Sub-Committee considered carefully the evidence submitted. It considered the incident very seriously and noted that on the day M.N. had fallen well below the excepted standards of a licensed driver. It however took the view that the incident had been a one off so agreed to deal with by way of a warning as to future conduct.

Resolved:

That the case in respect of M.N. no action be taken other than a letter be issued warning the licence holder that in the event of any further incidents the licence may be suspended or revoked.

A.C.H (Existing Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage)

The Sub-Committee was informed that the Licence Holder had requested that the referral be deferred to enable his legal representative to attend.

Resolved:

That the referral in respect of A.C.H. be deferred to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.