Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Bryan Chalker sent his apologies, Councillor Tim Warren was his substitute.

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 5th March 2013 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 CAS for the grant of a combined hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence.

The applicant was present.  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 Disclosure and Barring Service check was undertaken which had revealed two previous convictions.  He circulated the Disclosure and Barring Service check, personal statement, references and Curriculum Vitae for Mr CAS.  The applicant and officer withdrew from the meeting while Members took some time to consider these documents.

Mr CAS put his case and was questioned.  Mr CAS 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 CAS, subject to the standard terms and conditions.

Reasons for the decision

Members determined an application by Mr CAS 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 Mr CAS's representations, had regard to his Disclosure and Barring Service check, his written statement, references and other documents he provided.  Members noted that the offences disclosed were historic and fell outside the Council's Policy.  Moreover they noted that he fully accepted responsibility for his conduct, had regretted his actions and shown considerable remorse.  Members therefore felt that his offending behaviour was in the past and, whilst warning him that any future offending would result in him being brought back before the Committee, they found Mr CAS to be a fit and proper person to hold a combined hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence.