Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor John Williams.

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 attached report, 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 if the following matter 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

Driver – Mr MA

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Mr SHK for renewal of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence and to review a Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

The applicant advised that once he had been made aware of the problem he had rectified it straight away.

There was also an administrative discrepancy on the application forms which the applicant satisfactorily explained at the meeting.

Members requested sight of the applicant’s Driving Licence and required the DVLA check code which the applicant agreed to email to the office.

Resolved:     (i)         That, subject to the receipt of the DVLA check code and

that being clear, the Licence be granted.  If the check reveals any discrepancies, the application must be brought back to this Committee.

(ii)        That a written warning be sent to the applicant advising that all future application forms and any information submitted must be correct to avoid this situation from happening again.

Driver – Mr JHJ

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Mr MA for the renewal of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence.

The vehicle had failed the mechanical safety test and had not been brought back within the required 28 days meaning that a new test would now be required. However, a new test would now be carried out under the new Policy approved by this Council and, as such, the vehicle would be outside of the agreed maximum age allowed for public service vehicles.

The applicant advised that the requested repairs had been carried out within the 28 days but he had been unable to return to the Depot for a re-test because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Committee felt that the applicant had sufficient time before the Coronavirus lockdown to book the vehicle in for the re-test.

Resolved:     That the vehicle licence renewal be refused.

Driver – Mr BM

The Sub-Committee considered an incident of unacceptable behaviour by Mr JHJ.

The applicant had been granted a licence for 12 months in 2019 which, subject to no further issues, would be extended administratively for the remaining two years. However, upon submission of documents required to extend for the two years, the applicant had acted dishonestly. 

The applicant apologised to the Committee stating that it had been a genuine misunderstanding and provided an explanation which the Committee accepted.

Resolved:     That the licence be granted for the remaining two years with a warning that all future application submissions be filled out correctly, containing all of the required details.   Should there be any uncertainty when filling out the forms, the applicant is to contact the Licensing Office for guidance.

Driver – SHK

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Mr BM for a new Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

The applicant had failed to submit his application for renewal in time and as a result it had expired.  The applicant was unhappy with some parts of the renewal process and fees payable and had sent abusive emails to officers to express his opinions, for which he apologised at the meeting.

The Chair advised the applicant that he should retake the Knowledge Test and have his licence extended for 9 months.

The Committee were minded to allow the nine month extension subject to completion of the Knowledge Test and that the applicant be issued with a warning that any future complaints would be brought back to Committee where there would be a strong possibility that the licence would be revoked. 

The Chair also suggested that the applicant send a written apology to the Council staff in connection with his poor behaviour.

The applicant advised the Committee that he no longer wished to renew his licence.

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

There was no urgent business.