The Managing Director for Delivery submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr ML remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold his Private Hire Operator Licence.

The Licensing Operations Manager attended the meeting.

Mr ML attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the report.  He also referred to a letter he had received from Wirral Council.

A short adjournment took place.

The meeting reconvened, Members were provided with a copy of the letter that had been referred to and the solicitor who had written the letter attended the meeting to clarify the context of the letter.

Members considered carefully the representations and the explanations given by Mr ML, in respect of why he had knowingly allowed unlicensed drivers to drive licensed private hire vehicles that are subject to school contract work.  Members did not consider that Mr ML was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire Operator Licence.

In coming to their determination the Panel applied the principle of proportionality enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. In doing so, Members felt that the protection and safety of the public was of paramount concern.

Resolved - That Mr ML’s Private Hire Operator Licence be revoked.

The Managing Director for Delivery submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr ML should be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Operator Licence.

The applicant’s solicitor had advised him not to attend the meeting.

Resolved – That the applicant be requested to attend a meeting of this Panel scheduled to be held on 29 November 2017, when this matter would be considered.