Decision details

The Sub-Committee considered the report, which sought determination of Mr BB’s application for the grant of a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence.

Mr BB was present. He confirmed that he understood the procedure for the hearing.

The Senior Public Protection Officer presented the report and stated that as part of the application process a Disclosure and Barring Service check was undertaken, which had revealed a previous caution. He circulated the Disclosure and Barring Service check, personal statement and references for Mr BB. The applicant and the Senior Public Protection Officer withdrew from the meeting while Members took some time to consider these documents.

Mr BB put his case and was questioned. He also made a closing statement. 

Following an adjournment it was

RESOLVED that Mr BB be granted a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence.

Reasons for decision

Members have had to determine an application by Mr BB for a combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s licence.

In doing so, they took account of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, case law and the Council’s policy.

Members had to consider whether Mr BB is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence and therefore asked themselves whether they would allow their son, daughter, spouse, partner or anyone they cared about to travel alone in a vehicle driven by Mr BB.

Members noted that Mr BB was cautioned for a public order offence on 13 December 2010 resulting from a drunken argument on the way home from the pub. Members noted that the caution was over 2 years old and that Mr BB has good references, including from the Head Chef of the restaurant in which he worked which stated that Mr BB is able to work in a pressurised environment.

In his representations to the Committee, Mr BB stated that the incident was a one-off, it would not happen again and he was grown up and wanted to start his professional life.

In light of the age of the caution, the references and Mr BB’s frank explanation of the incident, Members are satisfied that Mr BB is a fit and proper person to hold a private hire and hackney carriage drivers licence and accordingly his application is granted.