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 Assistant Chief Executive reported on an application received to re-licence a Renault Espace, registration number PLG 333D, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed private hire vehicle. The vehicle had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 28 February 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.

Members considered the representations made and decided to act outside of their Policy on this occasion due to the condition of the vehicle.

Resolved – That the application to re-licence the Renault Espace, registration number PLG 333D be granted for a further six months subject to a Condition Notice being issued stating that the door seal on the near side of the vehicle must be replaced.

The Assistant Chief Executive reported on an application to licence a Mercedes Vito as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

At a meeting of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee on 25 November 2015, Members resolved that the consideration of applications for the approval of new makes and models of vehicles to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles be delegated to the Licensing Panel.

The vehicle was presented at the meeting which members of the Panel inspected.

Resolved –

(1)  That the Mercedes Vito short wheel base be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle for six passengers.

(2)  That should an application be received to license a Mercedes Vito long wheel base model, the first application for this model must be referred to the Licensing Panel.

The Assistant Chief Executive reported on an application to licence a Ford Tourneo as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

At a meeting of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee on 25 November 2015, Members resolved that the consideration of applications for the approval of new makes and models of vehicles to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles be delegated to the Licensing Panel.

The vehicle was presented at the meeting which members of the Panel inspected.

Resolved –

(1)  That the Ford Tourneo short wheel base be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle for eight passengers subject to compliance with Condition 1.3, that all vehicles must have separate driver and passenger compartments which must be separated by a partition.

(2)  That should an application be received to license a Ford Tourneo long wheel base model, the first application for this model must be referred to the Licensing Panel.

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 Assistant Chief Executive submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr MJW should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr MJW attended the meeting and made representations.

Members gave due consideration to Mr MJW’s representations and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.  Members were persuaded to act outside of their Policy in determining this matter.

Resolved -

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

(2)  That Mr MJW be issued with a written warning as to his future conduct.

The Assistant Chief Executive submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr PJLO’C should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence. Mr PJLO’C did not attend the meeting.

Members considered that this matter could not be determined in the absence of Mr PJLO’C.

Resolved – That Mr PJLO’C be requested to attend the next meeting of the Licensing Panel and that he be advised that should he fail to attend, his Private Hire Driver Licence may be suspended.

The Assistant Chief Executive reported upon an application received from Mr MDT for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Mr MDT attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Members gave due consideration to Mr MDT’s representations and the nature of the caution recorded against him.

Members had due regard to their Policy, however, after careful consideration of the representations made, exercised their right to consider each case on its own merits and on this occasion Members were persuaded to act outside of their Policy in determining this application.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive reported upon an application received from Mr PSH for the grant of Private Hire Driver Licence.

Mr PSH attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application.

Members considered the representations made by Mr PSH regarding the nature and number of his convictions as well as other material information relevant to his application. Members had regard to their Policy, in particular paragraph 9.1 and on this occasion were not persuaded to act outside of their Policy.

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

The Assistant Chief Executive reported upon an application received from Mr PV for the grant of Private Hire Driver Licence.

Mr PV attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application.

Members considered the representations made by Mr PV regarding the complaints that had been received against him when he had previously held a Private Hire Driver Licence prior to it being revoked on 15 May 2015. 

Members had regard to the number of complaints received in respect of the applicant and considered that the protection and safety of members of the public was of paramount concern.

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