To appoint a Chair of the Panel.

Resolved – That Councillor W J Davies be appointed as Chair for this meeting.

Members are invited to consider whether they have any personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any of the items on this agenda and if so, to declare them and state what they are.

Members were invited to consider whether they had any personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any of the items on the agenda and if so, to declare them and state what they are

Councillor S Niblock declared a prejudicial interest in respect of item 3 (Overage Vehicle- Ford Focus, Registration Number KF03 DYY), by virtue of his knowledge of this private hire driver. 

Councillor K Wood declared a prejudicial interest in respect of item 3 (Overage Vehicle- Ford Focus, Registration Number KF03 DYY), by virtue of her knowledge of this private hire driver. 

Councillor W Davies declared a prejudicial interest in respect of item 11 (Hackney Carriage Driver Licence- Application to renew), by virtue of his knowledge of this hackney carriage driver.

Councillor K Wood and Councillor S Niblock declared a prejudicial interest in respect of this matter and left the meeting during its consideration.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received to re-licence a Ford Focus, registration number KF03 DYY, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had already been re-licensed for a further six months on 18 February 2011 and on expiry of that licence on 18 August 2011, a further six months had been granted by the Licensing Panel. It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 19 February 2008 and had passed the compliance test necessary for a licence to be issued.

The owner of the vehicle was present at the meeting with his vehicle which members of the panel inspected.

Resolved –

(1)  That the application to re-licence a Ford Focus, registration number KF03 DYY be granted for a further six months.

(2)  That a Conditions Notice be issued stating that the seat covers be replaced.

The following items contain exempt information.

RECOMMENDATION:  That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.  The Public Interest test had been applied and favoured exclusion.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported on an application received by Mr EM for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Mr EM attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Resolved-

(1  That Mr EM’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

(2)  That Mr EM be given a written warning as to his future conduct.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon a caution received by Mr BAM.  Mr BAM attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

In determining the matter, Members had regard to their Policy as well as their responsibility in respect of the protection of the public. Members also considered the Proportionality Principle under the Human Rights Act 1998 and determined that the safety of the public was their paramount concern.

Members considered the demeanour and attitude of Mr BAM as well as the convictions and caution recorded against him and the fact that he had failed on two occasions to disclose a conviction and caution to the Licensing Authority as required.

Resolved (5:1) - That Mr BAM’s Private Hire Driver’s Licence be revoked.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr RB to consider whether he should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence. Mr RB attended the meeting and made representations regarding his application.

Members gave due consideration to Mr RB’s representations.

Resolved –

(1)  That Mr RB be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence

(2)   That Mr RB be given a written warning as to his future conduct.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr GOM to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence. Mr GOM attended the meeting.

Representations were made by Mr GOM in respect of his application to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Members gave due consideration to Mr GOM’s representations

Resolved –

(1)   That Mr GOM’s application to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

(2)  That Mr GOM be given a written warning as to his future conduct.

(3)  That Mr GOM be reminded that any cautions or convictions incurred must be declared to the Licensing Office as soon as possible.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr RLT to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence. Mr RLT attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

Members gave due consideration to Mr RLT’s representations.

Resolved -

(1)  That Mr RLT’s application to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

(2)  That Mr RLT be reminded of the warning previously issued to him in respect of his future conduct.

  Councillor W J Davies declared a prejudicial interest in respect of this item and left the meeting during its consideration.

Councillor S Taylor in the Chair for consideration of this matter.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr BGM to renew his Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence. Mr BGM attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application to renew his Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.

Resolved  -

(1)   That Mr BGM’s application to renew his Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be approved.

(2)   That Mr BGM be given a written warning as to his future conduct.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr JJ to consider whether he be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence. Mr JJ attended the meeting and made representations regarding his application.

Members gave due consideration to Mr JJ’s representations

Resolved -

(1)  That Mr JJ be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

(2)  That Mr JJ be advised to keep a log of any incidents of concern to him that may occur in the future.