Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:-                That the public be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 7 contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972

The Committee considered the question of whether two Private Hire Vehicle Licences should be renewed.  The question arose because it had come to the Council’s attention that there had been a conviction for a number of criminal offences in 2001, 2002 and 2007, these being matters that fell within the Council’s guidelines for the relevance of convictions. 

In addition, the applicant had not maintained the vehicles in accordance with the requirements of the licence.

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by the applicant and his representative, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved: that

(a)  No action be taken on the convictions in view of the amount of time passed since the offences occurred;

(b)  A 6 month licence be issued for one vehicle; and

(c)  A full licence be issued for the second vehicle subject to passing the required tests.

The Committee considered the question of whether a Dual Driver’s Licence should be renewed. The question arose because of concerns about the driver’s poor English communication skills, being a matter that fell within the requirements of the Council’s licencing policy and Code of Conduct. 

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by the individual concerned, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved: that as the Committee was not satisfied that the applicant had enough knowledge of the English language, the application for renewal of the licence be granted subject to the applicant attending and passing the Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council Knowledge Test and obtaining the relevant certificate at which point the full licence will be granted.  The applicant be advised in the decision letter of the date of the next test and be advised that there is information on the Council website regarding the test.  The test fee be waived in this instance. 

The Committee considered the question of whether a Dual Driver’s Licence should be renewed. The question arose because it had come to the Council’s attention that there had been a conviction for a criminal offence in 2019, being a matter that fell within the requirements of the Council’s licencing policy.

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by the individual concerned, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved: That the driver be sent a warning letter and the licence be renewed.

The Committee considered the question of whether a Dual Driver’s licence should be renewed. The question arose because it had come to the Council’s attention that there had been a conviction for a criminal offence in 2017, being a matter that fell within the requirements of the Council’s licencing policy.

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by the individual concerned, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved: that the driver be sent a warning letter and the licence be renewed.   

The Committee considered the question of whether a Dual Driver’s Licence should be renewed.  The question arose because of complaints received about the behaviour of the Driver towards passengers and the public, being a matter that fell within the requirements of the Council’s licencing policy.

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by the individual concerned, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved:  That a stern warning be given to the driver as to future conduct and that further complaints would not be dealt with so leniently.   

The Committee considered the question of whether a Dual Driver’s licence should be refused. The question arose because it had come to the Council’s attention that there had been a conviction for a criminal offence in 2019, being a matter that fell within the requirements of the Council’s licencing policy.

After very careful consideration of information received from the Council’s Licensing Officers and representations made by and on behalf of the individual concerned, the Committee agreed as follows:-

Resolved: That the licence of the driver be refused. 

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100(B)4 of the Local Government Act.

There were no items of urgent business.