Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hindle.

There were no public questions received.

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 an application to review a dual driver licence, where a conviction recorded against the licence holder calls in to question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such, the licence holder was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the reason the Driver had appeared before the Panel, namely convictions, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Driver’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, the driver is not a fit and proper person and accordingly the licence be SUSPENDED with immediate effect until 12 October 2026 when the licence is due for renewal and if the driver receives any further convictions, their renewal application will be brought back to the Panel to consider.  The decision is in accordance with the Council’s Statement of fitness and suitability, and the licence is suspended with immediate effect on the grounds of public safety due to the nature of the conviction.

NOTE: The Driver attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

The Panel considered an application to renew a dual hackney carriage / private hire driver’s licence, where convictions recorded against the applicant calls into question whether they remain a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence. 

RESOLVED that:

1.   based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the reason the Applicant had appeared before the Panel, namely convictions, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Applicant’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, the Applicant be GRANTED a licence for a period of one year with the licence to be renewed for a further period of two years if the Applicant receives no further convictions or complaints about their behaviour in the meantime  and their licence is to be revoked with immediate effect on the grounds of public safety if the Applicant receives another motoring conviction in the next twelve months. 

2.    In addition the licence will be suspended for a month with immediate effect on the grounds of public safety and the Applicant be required to attend the Council’s driver awareness course before their licence is returned to them.

  3.    The decision is in accordance with the Council’s Statement of fitness and suitability, as the Applicant’s convictions call into question their safety on the road but the circumstances surrounding the handling of their licence application on the balance of probabilities do not justify refusal of the application.

NOTE: The Driver attended the meeting with a Representative and addressed the Panel.

The Panel considered an application to renew a dual driver licence, where a conviction recorded against the licence holder calls in to question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such, the licence holder was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the reason the Driver had appeared before the Panel, namely convictions, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Driver’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, subject to the Driver providing the Licensing Section and the Chair of the Panel with evidence of the insurance policy which relates to their conviction the licence be GRANTED for one year with the licence to be renewed for a further period of two years if the Driver receives no further convictions or complaints against them in the meantime,

NOTE: The Driver attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

The Panel considered a report that informed them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence, which, due to a conviction calls in to question the Applicant’s 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 reason the Applicant had appeared before the Panel, namely the Applicant’s inappropriate conduct and arrest, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Applicant’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, the Applicant is not a fit and proper person and accordingly the application be REFUSED on the grounds that insufficient time has passed since the Applicant’s licence was revoked in 2023 for the Panel to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the Applicant is now a fit and proper person.

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

The Panel considered a report that informed them of an application for a new Dual Driver’s licence, which, due to a conviction calls in to question the Applicant’s 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 reason the Applicant had appeared before the Panel, namely convictions, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Applicant’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, the Applicant is not a fit and proper person and accordingly the application be REFUSED t on the grounds that the decision is in accordance with the guidance in the Council’s Statement of Fitness and Suitability. 

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

The Panel considered an application to review a dual driver licence, where information recorded against the licence holder calls in to question their fitness and propriety to be a suitable person to hold such a licence.  As such, the licence holder was referred to the Panel for determination.

RESOLVED that, based on the information provided to the Panel, having taken into account the reason the Driver had appeared before the Panel, namely  information received about the Driver, the report written by the Officer, their recommendations, the Driver’s comments and the Council's Statement of Fitness and Suitability, the Driver’s conduct towards their passengers was inappropriate and the Driver be given a final written warning not to engage in personal conversations with passengers in future.

NOTE: The Driver attended the meeting and addressed the Panel.

RESOLVED that the Appeals update be noted.