To appoint a Chair of the Panel.

Councillor Hodson was in the 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 this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

Councillor Niblock declared a personal interest in one of the items of urgent business by virtue of the fact that he knew the applicant.

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.

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 Director of Regeneration reported upon an application received from Mr NKO for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence. Mr NKO attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his convictions.

Resolved - That the application from Mr NKO for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence, be approved.

The Director of Regeneration reported upon an application from Mr JDB for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence. Mr JDB attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his convictions.

Resolved - That the application from Mr JDB for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence, be approved.

The Director of Regeneration requested the Panel to consider whether Mr DSC was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence. Mr DSC attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his caution and conviction.

Resolved (4:2) – That Mr DSC be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence but that he be issued with a severe warning as to his future conduct.

The Chair reported that he had agreed to accept the following two items of urgent business.

1. Over-Age Vehicle Application

The Director of Regeneration reported upon an application received to re-license a Ford Focus, registration number V911 LOX, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had been re-licensed twice for a further six months beyond its eighth birthday, once under delegated powers on 1 February and by the Licensing Panel on 1 August 2008. It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 3 July 2002, 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 - That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence in respect of a Ford Focus vehicle, registration number V911 LOX, be granted for a further six months due to the exceptional condition of the vehicle.

2. Private Hire Driver Licence – Application to Renew

(Councillor Niblock declared a personal interest in respect of this application and left the room)

The Director of Regeneration reported upon an application received from Ms AJB for the renewal of a Private Hire Driver Licence. Ms AJB attended the meeting and outlined the circumstances of her recent convictions.

Resolved - That the application from Ms AJB to renew her Private Hire Driver Licence, be approved, but with a severe warning as to her future conduct.