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 Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application received to license a Vauxhall Insignia, registration number DA13 CVP, outside the current age policy for licensing Private Hire Vehicles.  The vehicle had first been licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle on 26 January 2022 and the most recent licence expired on 9 May 2023.  The date of first registration of the vehicle was 9 May 2013.  The vehicle had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations and the MOT and Compliance pass certificates had been provided to Members. 

The proprietor of the vehicle was present at the meeting with the vehicle which Members of the Panel inspected. 

Resolved – That the application to license the Vauxhall Insignia, registration number DA13 CVP, as a Private Hire Vehicle be granted for six months.

The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application received to license a Peugeot E7, registration number SJ56 MDU, outside the current age policy for licensing Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

The applicant did not attend the meeting. 

Resolved – That the applicant attend a future meeting of this Panel should they wish to pursue their application.

The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application received to license a Peugeot Boxer, registration number YJ16 GWF, outside the current criteria which states that Private Hire Vehicles that are wheelchair accessible and rear loading, using a tailgate system, may only be used for home to school contract work.

The current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence were set out within the report.  The date of first registration of the vehicle was 24 March 2016.  Should the application be granted, it will be necessary for it to be examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations in order for it to receive a valid MOT certificate. 

The proprietor of the vehicle was present at the meeting with the vehicle which Members of the Panel inspected. 

Resolved – That the application to license the Peugeot Boxer, registration number YJ16 GWF, as a Private Hire Vehicle outside the current criteria which states that Private Hire Vehicles that are wheelchair accessible and rear loading, using a tailgate system, may only be used for home to school contract work be granted subject to the following conditions:

·  One party member must require a wheelchair accessible vehicle;

·  The booking must be made 24 hours in advance;

·  All staff must be trained in how to use the equipment.

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. 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 item of business on the grounds that it involves 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 Governance reported upon an application received by SM for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence. 

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

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.

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.

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

The Director of Law and Governance submitted a report for Members to consider whether LTH should be granted a Private Hire Driver Licence.

LTH attended the meeting and made representations in respect of the application.  LTH 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 LTH’s application for a Private Hire Driver Licence be granted for one year subject to having undergone a medical from their GP and undertaking random drug testing.