Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor H Harrison and Councillor S Hussain.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the Licensing Driver Panel held on 5^th September 2023 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September 2023 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the Order of Proceedings be noted.

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraph(s) 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

RESOLVED that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they contain exempt information under paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose the reports.

The Panel considered a report to inform them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence which, due to a conviction, called into question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such the application was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the report written by the Officer, Officer recommendations, the Applicant’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, that on this occasion the Applicant is not a fit and proper person and accordinglythe application be REFUSED on the grounds that the Applicant has a conviction under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 which is less than 10 years old which was not reported to the Council on his application.

NOTE: the Applicant attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

The Panel considered a report to inform them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence which, due to a conviction, called into question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such the application was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the report written by the Officer, Officer recommendations, the Applicants comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, that on this occasion, the Applicant is a fit and proper person and accordingly a licence be GRANTED for a period of one year with the licence to be renewed for a further period of two years if no further issues arise in the meantime.

NOTE: the Applicant and representative attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

The Panel considered a report to inform them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence which, due to a conviction, called into question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such the application was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that due to the applicant’s failure to attend, the application be deferred to the Panel meeting in January 2024.

NOTE: The Applicant did not attend the meeting to address the Panel.

The Panel considered a report to inform them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence which, due to a conviction, called into question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such the application was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the report written by the Officer, Officer recommendations, the Applicant’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, that on this occasion the Applicant is a fit and proper person and accordingly a licence be GRANTED for a period of one year to take effect from the date the Applicant’s current private hire driver suspension by Tameside Council expires with the licence to be renewed for a further two years if no further issues arise in the meantime.

NOTE:

1.         The Applicant attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

2.         A copy of the decision letter which was not attached at appendix 12.2 of the report was presented to the Panel by the Officer.

The Panel considered an update on any appeals against the decisions of the Council’s Licensing Driver’s Panel.

RESOLVED that the Appeals Update be noted.