Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wing and Councillor Makinson.

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 26 November 2024, copy attached.

Councillor Rogers proposed, Councillor Driver seconded and Members agreed that the minutes of the Licensing Board held on 26 November 2024 be signed as a correct record.

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 9 January 2025, copy attached.

Councillor Bayford proposed, Councillor Rogers seconded and Members agreed that the minutes of the Licensing Board held on 9 January 2025 be signed as a correct record.

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting on agenda items 6 and 7 as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Mrs French introduced the Applicant.

The Applicant had no questions for Mrs Stocker.

The Board asked questions of Mrs French.

The Applicant addressed the Board.

Mrs Stocker asked questions of the Applicant.

Members of the Board asked questions of the Applicant.

Following the discussion, the Applicant and Licensing Officers were asked to leave the room whilst the Board deliberated.

Once the Board came to a decision, the Applicant and Licensing Officers were invited back into the meeting room and Mr Hodkinson, Interim Principal Litigation Lawyer, addressed the meeting and read out the Board’s decision which was as detailed below:

The Licensing Board have considered all the evidence before them comprising the Licensing Officer’s report, the evidence contained in the agenda and the answers to questions put to the Applicant and his own statement. The Board has considered whether or not the Applicant is “a fit and proper person” to hold a licence. The Board consider this question to be central to the grant or otherwise of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence and the continuance or otherwise of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. The Board consider that the Applicant is sufficiently experienced in making license applications to fully understand the legal duty of honestly answering the questions on the form. The Board were presented with evidence of at least two instances of failure to answer questions correctly.

The Board are satisfied this was due to a lack of honesty and not attributable to a genuine mistake.

The Board have as a consequence decided to refuse the application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence and to revoke the current Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

Mrs French introduced the Applicant.

The Applicant had no questions for Mrs French.

The Board asked questions of Mrs French.

Members of the Board asked questions of the Applicant.

Following the discussion, the Applicant and Licensing Officers were asked to leave the room whilst the Board deliberated.

Once the Board came to a decision, the Applicant and Licensing Officers were invited back into the meeting room and Mr Hodkinson, Interim Principal Litigation Lawyer, addressed the meeting and read out the Board’s decision which was as detailed below:

The Board considered all the evidence contained in the agenda and the report of the Licensing Officer. The central question for the Board is whether or not the Applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The Applicant has made several previous applications which have all been refused. In addition appeals to the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court have all been dismissed. However, the Board note that on 26th November 2024 the Board in refusing the application at the time asked the Applicant to undertake a safeguarding course. The Applicant has satisfied the Board that he has successfully undertaken such training. As a result the Board is now satisfied that the Applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The Board therefore grant a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for a period of 3 years.