In the absence of the Chair, it was –

Resolved – That Councillor P Stuart be appointed Chair for this meeting.

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 Chair accepts this matter as urgent business.

The Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received to licence a Peugeot E7, registration number SB06 NUO as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

It was reported that the applicant had invested in this vehicle as a replacement vehicle as he considered it to be in very good condition due to its service record and low mileage.  The vehicle is 11 years old and had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations.  The pass certificate was available for Members.

The owner of the vehicle was present at the meeting with his vehicle which members of the Panel inspected.

Members considered the application, however they determined there was no good reason to act outside of the current policy.

Resolved (2:1 Councillor A Jones dissenting) – That the application to licence the Peugeot E7, registration number SB06 NUO be refused.

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 Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received by Mr LA for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence. Mr LA attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application for a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Members considered the representations made by Mr LA regarding the period he had been driving a licensed Private Hire Vehicle without having a valid Private Hire Driver Licence.

Members had regard to their Policy and in determining the matter Members also gave serious consideration to their overriding responsibility in respect of the protection and safety of the public.  The Panel applied the principle of proportionality enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998 and felt that in seeking to ensure the legitimate aim of the protection of the public the decision made to refuse the application was justified in the circumstances.

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

The Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received by Mr GA for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr GA attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application for a Private Hire Driver Licence.

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

In determining the matter Members also gave serious consideration to their overriding responsibility in respect of the protection and safety of the public.  The Panel applied the principle of proportionality enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998 and felt that in seeking to ensure the legitimate aim of the protection of the public the decision made to refuse the application was justified in the circumstances.

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

The Managing Director for Delivery submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr CJJ should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence and a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence.  Mr CJJ attended the meeting together with Mr D Cummins, Unite the Union and made representations.

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

Resolved -

(1)  That Mr CJJ be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence and a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence.

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

The Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received by Mr PJJ for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr PJJ attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application.

Members gave due consideration to Mr PJJ’s representations.

Members had 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 PJJ’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be approved.

The Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received by Mr KJM for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr KJM attended the meeting together with his solicitor and made representations in respect of his application.

Members gave due consideration to Mr KJM’s representations.

Members had 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 (2:1 Councillor P Stuart abstaining) – That Mr KJM’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be approved.

The Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application received by Mr TAW for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr TAW attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application.

Members gave due consideration to Mr TAW’s representations.

Members had 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 (2:1 Councillor A Jones dissenting) – That Mr TAW’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be approved.