Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the agenda.

There were none.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

There was none.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4th December 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).

RESOLVED that the procedure for this part of the meeting be noted.

RESOLVED "that, having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items(s) of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended."

The Sub-Committee considered the report which sought determination of an application by Mr ML for the grant of a combined hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence.

The applicant Mr ML was present with his friend Mr PL.  He confirmed he had read and understood the procedure for the meeting.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and stated that as part of the application process a Criminal Records Bureau check was undertaken which had revealed a previous caution and a previous conviction.  He circulated the Criminal Records Bureau check and personal statement in respect of Mr ML.  He stated that there were no references as he had omitted to request any and apologised for this.  He would ensure this part of the process was completed.  The applicant and the officer withdrew from the meeting while Members took some time to consider these documents.

Mr ML put his case and was questioned.  Mr ML then made a closing statement.

Following an adjournment it was

RESOLVED that a hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence be granted in respect of Mr ML, subject to the standard terms and conditions.

Reasons for decision

Members determined an application by Mr ML for a combined hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence.  In doing so they took into account the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Council's Policy and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Members listened carefully to the applicant's representations, had regard to the Criminal Records check, his written statement and the representations made by him and on his behalf by Mr L.  Whilst noting that he had been convicted of a public order offence and having accepted a caution for a similar offence in 2009, Members felt that his offending behaviour was a one-off incident and was in the past and found Mr ML to be a fit and proper person to hold a combined hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence.