Decision details

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

Mr CDC 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 previous convictions. He circulated the Disclosure and Barring Service check and references for Mr CDC. The applicant and Senior Public Protection Officer withdrew from the meeting while Members took some time to consider these documents.

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

Following an adjournment it was

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

Reasons for decision

Members have had to determine an application by Mr CDC 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 CDC 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 CDC.

Members noted that Mr CDC had a held a taxi licence issued  by the authority between 1998 – 2010 and that the Committee had refused his application to renew the licence on 9 March 2010 due to cautions for forgery in 2000, intimidation of a witness in 2006 and a conviction for common assault in 2009. Members also noted that Mr CDC had breached the conditions of his licence by failing to notify the authority of the witness intimidation caution. He also had a conviction for theft dating back to 1996.

In his representations to the Committee, Mr CDC explained the circumstances of the offences. Members noted that the offences were relatively old in terms of their policy. Members were impressed by Mr CDC’s frank explanation. They took account of his previous 12 years as a driver. Members were satisfied that Mr CDC realises the value of a licence and will not do anything to jeopardise it in the future.

Members also had regard to the written references provided.

In light of this, Members decided that Mr CDC is a fit and proper person to hold a private hire and hackney carriage driver’s licence and accordingly his application is granted.