Members of the Panel are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Panel were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

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 1 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 paragraph 1 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 and Corporate Services submitted a report for the Licensing Panel to consider an application to license a Mercedes E Class as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside of the criteria for licensing Private Hire Vehicles. These criteria stated that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%. The proprietor had also requested an exemption from the requirement to display Private Hire Licence Plates on the vehicle.

The proprietor of the vehicle, along with his representative, attended the meeting with the vehicle which Members of the Panel inspected.

Resolved - That the application to license the Mercedes E Class as a Private Hire Vehicle be granted, and that the application to request an exemption from the requirements to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence plates and door signs in respect of the Mercedes E Class vehicle be granted, subject to the following conditions:

·  All bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the journey.

·  Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

·  The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

·  Private Hire Driver name

·  Private Hire Driver photograph

·  Private Hire Driver badge number

·  Private Hire Vehicle registration number

For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

• The notice exempting the vehicle from displaying private hire vehicle licence plates must be carried in the vehicle at all times.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report for Members to consider whether LY was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.

LY attended the meeting and their representative made representations in respect of the application. LY and their representative responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their right to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That:

1)  LY be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence

2)  LY must successfully complete the next available NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport VRQ

3)  LY be issued with a written warning from the Licensing Panel in respect of their future conduct and driving standards

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report for Members to consider whether JM was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.

JM attended the meeting and made representations to the Licensing Panel. JM responded to questions from Members of the panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That, in the interests of public safety JM’s Private Hire Driver Licence be revoked with immediate effect.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report for Members to consider whether MD was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence and whether they were a fit and proper person to be granted a Private Hire Driver Licence.

MD attended the meeting and made representations to the Licensing Panel. MD responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That:

1.  MD be allowed to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence

2.  MD be granted a Private Hire Driver Licence

3.  MD must successfully complete the next available National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport

4.  MD be issued with a written warning from the Licensing Panel in respect of their future conduct and driving standards.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report, requesting the Licensing Panel consider an application from JB in respect of the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

JB attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the application. JB responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider the case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That JB’s application for a Private Hire Driver Licence be refused.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report, requesting the Licensing Panel consider an application from MR in respect of the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

MR attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the application. MR responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That MR’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be refused.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report, requesting the Licensing Panel consider an application from SA in respect of the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

SA attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the application. SA responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That SA’s application for a Private Hire Driver Licence be granted.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report, requesting the Licensing Panel consider an application from KG in respect of the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

KG attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the application. KG responded to questions from Members of the Panel and the legal advisor to the Panel.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That KG’s application for a Private Hire Driver Licence be granted.