Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Dexter, Green, Paul Moore, Rogers and Wing.

To receive any declarations of interest.  Members are advised to consider the advice contained within the Declaration of Interest advice attached to this Agenda.  If a Member declares an interest, they should complete the Declaration of Interest Form 

To approve the Minutes of the Licensing Board meeting held on 12 February 2019, copy attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Potts, seconded by Councillor M Saunders and Members agreed the Board minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 12 February 2019.

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 March 2019, copy attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Potts, seconded by Councillor M Saunders and Members agreed the Licensing Sub-Committee minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 26 March 2019.

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 25 April 2019, copy attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Potts, seconded by Councillor M Saunders and Members agreed the Licensing Sub-Committee minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 25 April 2019.

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting on agenda items 7 and 8 as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 4 and 7  of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Alison Stocker, Licensing Officer presented the report.

Members asked a question of the Licensing Officer.

The Applicant addressed the Board.

Members asked questions of the Applicant.

Further to debate, Members agreed:

Having considered the relevant policies of this district authority, the Human Rights Act 1998 so far as it applies and the factors in this case, the Licensing Board’s decision is that:

1. A licence is to be granted for one year.

The reasons given were that this gentleman has been a taxi driver for 14 years and has a previously exemplary record. The board noted that they had concerns until his divorce is finalised and had that in mind when they chose a period of one year for the licence. It is noted that this decision is a departure from the district authority’s policy on criminal convictions of this nature, however the board decided to so depart for the same reasons set out above.

Mr Berry was informed of his right to appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days.

Councillor Potts left the meeting.

Penny Button, Head of Safer Neighbourhoods introduced the report.

The Applicant addressed the Board.

Members asked questions of the Applicant.

The Head of Safer Neighbourhoods asked a question of the Applicant.

Further to debate, Members agreed:

Having considered the relevant policies of this district authority, the Human Rights Act 1998 so far as it applies and the factors in this case, the Licensing Board’s decision is that:

1. A licence is to be granted for one year.

The reasons given were that whilst there are previous offences which can be considered they are historic with the last offence having been committed some 24 years ago. The other offences were largely football related.

The Applicant was informed of his right to appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days.

Alison Stocker, Licensing Officer introduced the report.

Members asked a question of the Licensing Officer.

The Applicant addressed the Board.

The Licensing Officer asked a question of the Applicant.

Members asked questions of the Applicant.

Further to debate, Members agreed:

Having considered the relevant policies of this district authority, the Human Rights Act 1998 so far as it applies and the factors in this case, the Licensing Board’s decision is that:

1. The board refuses to renew the licence in this case.

The reasons given were that the vehicle does not meet the criteria set by this district authority to determine vehicle suitability in the policy document known as Guidelines on the Assessment of Vehicles to be Licensed as Hackney Carriages or Private Hire Vehicles. The Board asked that it be noted that in their view this application falls at the first hurdle.

The Applicant was informed of his right to appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days.