To appoint a Chair of the Panel.

Resolved - That Councillor Sue Taylor be appointed 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 were.

No such declarations were made.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received to re-licence an Audi A6, registration number MW51 ZVC, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had already been re-licensed for a further six months under delegated powers on 28 January 2010.  It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 19 April 2006 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 to re-licence the Audi A6, registration number MW51 ZVC be granted for a further six months due to the exceptional condition of the vehicle.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received to re-licence a Citroen Picasso, registration number Y799 EFR, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had already been re-licensed for a further six months under delegated powers on 4 July 2009 and upon expiry of that licence a further six month licence was granted by the Licensing Panel on 5 January 2010. It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 26 March 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 her vehicle which members of the Panel inspected.

Councillor Salter noted that both the rear wing and sill required some repair.

Resolved - That the application to re-licence the Citroen Picasso, registration number Y799 EFR be granted for a further six months subject to the necessary repairs being carried out and a further inspection undertaken by the Licensing Officer.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received to re-licence a Toyota Avensis, registration number RX02 JKE, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had already been re-licensed for a further six months under delegated powers on 27 December 2009.  It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 28 December 2007 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.

Councillor Salter noted that there were some dents to the front wing and driver’s door.

Resolved - That the application to re-licence the Toyota Avensis, registration number RX02 JKE be granted for a further six months subject to the necessary repairs being carried out and a further inspection undertaken by the Licensing Officer.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received to re-licence a Volvo S40, registration number BJ02 ENR, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had already been re-licensed for a further six months under delegated powers on 4 January 2010. It had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 17 January 2005 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.

Councillor Salter noted that the hydrolic hinges on the boot needed to be repaired.

Resolved - That the application to re-licence the Volvo S40, registration number BJ02 ENR be granted for a further six months subject to the necessary repairs being carried out and a further inspection undertaken by the Licensing Officer.

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 Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr GLH for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.  Mr GLH attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his caution and conviction.

Resolved - That Mr GLH’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr SM for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.  Mr SM attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his cautions and convictions.

Resolved - That Mr SM’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused, as due to the nature of the convictions recorded against him, he was not considered to be a fit and proper person.

The Licensing Panel considered the proportionality principle under the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered that in view of the nature of private hire work, the protection and safety of the public was paramount.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr SCM for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.  Mr SCM attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his conviction.

Resolved - That Mr SCM’s application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be refused, as due to the nature of the conviction recorded against him he was not considered to be a fit and proper person.

The Licensing Panel considered the proportionality principle under the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered that the protection and safety of the public was paramount.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr MRJM for the grant of a Home School Contract Private Hire Driver’s Licence.  Mr MRJM attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his convictions.

Resolved - That Mr MRJM’s application for the grant of a Home School Contract Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr CS for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.  Mr CS did not attend the meeting.

Resolved - That Mr CS be instructed to attend a future meeting of the Panel should he wish to pursue his application.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr BW for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence.  Mr BW attended the meeting and explained the circumstances of his caution and conviction.

Resolved - That Mr BW’s application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be approved with a warning in light of comments made that reasonable hours should be worked as the safety of passengers would be paramount.

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

Resolved - That Mr NSM’s application to renew his Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

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

Resolved - That Mr PB be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received by Mr JA to consider whether he be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.  Mr JA did not attend the meeting

Resolved - That Mr JA attend a future meeting of the Licensing Panel should he wish to pursue his application.

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

Resolved - That Mr SAR be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

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

Resolved - That Mr DP be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

The Licensing Manager informed Members that dates needed to be set for future meetings.

Resolved - That the next meeting of the Licensing Panel be arranged for Friday 13 August and that future meetings be scheduled for the second Friday of every month.