In the absence of the Chair, it was:

Resolved:

That Councillor Michael Collins 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.

Councillor T Norbury declared a personal interest in minute 114, by virtue of knowing the applicant.  He left the room and took no part in this item. 

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application to re-license a Toyota Prius, registration number SD58 CPN, beyond the normal over-age date for a licensed Private Hire Vehicle.  The date of first registration of the vehicle was 30 September 2008.  It had been licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle since 21 August 2013 and the current licence was due to expire on 20 February 2020.  The vehicle had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations and the pass certificates were available for Members.

The owner of the vehicle was present with his vehicle, which Members of the Panel inspected.  The owner answered questions from Members of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the application to license the Toyota Prius, registration number SD58 CPN, be granted for a further six months, subject to the steering rack joints being repaired and the rear passenger seats being covered.

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report which stated that an application had been made for a Street Collection Permit on behalf of the North West Air Ambulance Charity for Sunday, 29 March 2020.  The proposed collection was to be held during the ‘Egg Run’ event which was to take place adjacent to ‘The Dips’ in New Brighton.  The application also included a request to collect within the vicinity of The Tap Public House, Eastham. 

It was proposed that there would be no more than 15 persons collecting using sealed buckets. 

As the request was for a street collection on a day other than a Saturday, the application could not be determined under delegated powers. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the application for a Street Collection Permit in respect of the North West Air Ambulance Charity for 29 March 2020 be granted.

(2)  That the collection will take place in the vicinity of the area where the Egg Run will start, ‘The Dips’, New Brighton and in the vicinity of The Tap Public House, Eastham.

(3)  That there be no more than 5 persons collecting using sealed buckets at ‘The Dips’, New Brighton

(4)  That there be no more than 5 persons collecting using sealed buckets at ‘The Tap’ public house, Eastham

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report which stated that an application had been made for a Street Collection Permit on behalf of the Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes Charity for Sunday, 29 March 2020.  The proposed collection was to be held during the ‘Egg Run’ event which was to take place adjacent to ‘The Dips’ in New Brighton. 

It was proposed that there would be no more than 10 persons collecting using sealed buckets. 

As the request was for a street collection on a day other than a Saturday, the application could not be determined under delegated powers. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the application for a Street Collection Permit in respect of the Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes charity for 29 March 2020 be granted.

(2)  That the collection will take place in the vicinity of the area where the ‘Egg Run’ will start, ‘The Dips’, New Brighton. 

(3)  That there be no more than 5 persons collecting using sealed buckets at ‘The Dips’, New Brighton

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report which stated that an application had been made for a Street Collection Permit on behalf of Claire House Children’s Hospice for Sunday, 29 March 2020.  The proposed collection was to be held during the ‘Egg Run’ event which was to take place adjacent to ‘The Dips’ in New Brighton. 

It was proposed that there would be no more than 15 persons collecting using sealed buckets. 

As the request was for a street collection on a day other than a Saturday, the application could not be determined under delegated powers. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the application for a Street Collection Permit in respect of Claire House Children’s Hospice charity for 29 March 2020 be granted.

(2)  That the collection will take place in the vicinity of the area where the ‘Egg Run’ will start, ‘The Dips’, New Brighton

(3)  That there be no more than 5 persons collecting using sealed buckets at ‘The Dips’, New Brighton

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 Public Interest test had been applied and favoured exclusion.

Councillor Tony Norbury declared a personal interest and did not take part in proceedings.

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report which was to consider whether Mr DC should continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence.  Mr DC attended the meeting and answered questions from Councillors and officers.

Members considered the representations made by Mr DC and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved:  That:

(1)   Mr DC be allowed to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence. 

(2)  Mr DC must undertake a Driver Awareness Course no later than 6March 2020;

(3)   Mr DC be issued with a written warning from Members of the Licensing Panel as to his future conduct.

(4)  Should Mr DC fail to complete the Driver Awareness Course on or before 6 March 2020, his Hackney Carriage Driver Licence shall be revoked.  

Councillor Norbury returned to the meeting.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application received from Mr NJD for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr NJD attended the meeting and made representations in respect of his application.

Members considered the representations made by Mr NJD.

Members had regard to their Policy, however, after careful consideration of the representations made, exercised their rights to consider each case on its own merits.

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

The Director of Governance and Assurance submitted a report to consider an application received from Mr ABH for the grant of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver Licences.

Mr ABH did not attend the meeting.

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report to consider an application received by Mr SMKH for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr SMKH attended the meeting, answered questions from councillors and officers and made representations in respect of his application.

Members considered the representations made by Mr SMKH 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. 

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

At this point, Councillor Collins left the meeting.

Resolved – That Councillor D Mitchell be appointed Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

The Director of Governance and Assurance introduced a report to consider whether Mr AA should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.  Mr AA attended the meeting, answered questions from Members and made representations. 

Members considered carefully the representations and explanations made by Mr AA regarding the complaint against him.  The Panel also considered other evidence, including evidence from the complainant, telephone calls to the taxi operator and a CCTV recording.  Members questioned Mr AA in detail and considered his responses at length. 

Resolved – That Mr AA be allowed to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.