Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 2, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre

Contact: Donna Cope, Democratic Services Officer  Tel: 01902 554452 Email:  donna.cope@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

2.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Exclusion of press and public

To pass the following resolution:

That, in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act relating to any individual.

 

Minutes:

Resolved:

That, in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act relating to any individual.

4.

Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence (AK)

Minutes:

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Applicant (AK) into the Hearing. The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

 

The Section Leader, Licensing, outlined the report regarding an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, which had been circulated to all parties in advance of the meeting. The matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee by an authorised employee of the council for further consideration to be given as to whether AK was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence due to the information outlined in the report. AK confirmed that the information contained within the report was accurate.

 

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report. No questions asked.

 

The Chair invited AK to make representations.

 

AK detailed the situations that had led to his conviction for robbery. He stated that he was young and had fallen into the wrong crowd. He acknowledged the severity of the offence and was remorseful.

 

All parties were invited to question AK on his submission.

 

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, and the Section Leader, AK discussed his personal circumstances and elaborated further on the situations that lead to his convictions. He stated that he had been reckless but was now a changed person and family man.

 

The Chair invited AK to make a final statement. 

 

AK requested that the Sub-Committee received three-character references from associates of his. The Sub-Committee agreed to the request (copies filed with these minutes).

 

AK acknowledged his offences and stated they were committed a long time ago when he was young and reckless. He stated he was now a changed person and wanted the best for his family.

 

AK and the Section Leader left the room to allow the Sub-Committee to determine the matter.

 

The Chair invited all parties to return.

 

The Chair detailed the decision of the Sub-Committee.

 

Resolved:

That, having considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral, the Sub-Committee resolved to depart from the Council Guidelines relating to Relevance of Convictions and Breaches of Licence Conditions and grant AK a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for a period of 12 months, subject to AK passing the knowledge test, a satisfactory medical, and producing documentation of his immigration status/ right to work in the UK.

 

5.

Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (AM)

Minutes:

 

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Applicant (AM) into the Hearing. AM was accompanied by a friend, Ms Aleema Khan. The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

 

The Section Leader, Licensing, outlined the report regarding an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, which had been circulated to all parties in advance of the meeting. The matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee by an authorised employee of the council for further consideration to be given as to whether AM was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence due to the information outlined in the report. AM confirmed that the information contained within the report was accurate.

 

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report. No questions asked.

 

Sarah Hardwick, Senior Solicitor, queried details within the mini-panel report regarding the Council Guidelines relating to Relevance of Convictions and Breaches of Licence Conditions. The Section Leader, Licensing, offered clarification on the matter for which all parties were in agreement.

 

The Chair invited AM to make representations.

 

AM stated that he had been a Private Hire Vehicle Driver before and had received no complaints. He disputed the convicted regarding benefit fraud and claimed it was due to a misunderstanding regarding his address.

 

All parties were invited to question AM on his submission.

 

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Senior Solicitor and the Section Leader, AM discussed his previous Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s licence held with Newport City Council and elaborated further on the situations that lead to his convictions.

 

Following further questioning, AM disputed the details submitted by Newport City Council regarding his conduct and DVLA Driving Licence suspension.

 

All parties agreed to adjourn the meeting to allow the Section Leader to obtain further details regarding the Applicant’s DVLA Driving Licence suspension.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11.25am and the Section Leader, AM and Aleema Khan left the room.

 

The meeting reopened at 11.45am and the Section Leader, AM and Aleema Khan re-entered the room.

 

The Sub-Committee considered the additional DVLA information provided by the Section Leader. It was agreed that the information was not helpful, and concerns were still held regarding the details from Newport City Council that had been disputed by the applicant.

 

Resolved:

The Sub-Committee considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral, and agreed to defer the decision pending further information from Newport City Council.

 

6.

Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (ZK)

Minutes:

 

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Applicant (ZK) into the Hearing. The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

 

The Section Leader, Licensing, outlined the report regarding an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, which had been circulated to all parties in advance of the meeting. The matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee by an authorised employee of the council for further consideration to be given as to whether ZK was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence due to the information outlined in the report. ZK confirmed that the information contained within the report was accurate.

 

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report. No questions asked.

 

The Chair invited ZK to make representations.

 

ZK detailed the situations that had led to his convictions and stated he had been wrongly accused for the offence in 2001. He claimed that at the time of the offence he was new to the country and naive to the situation. 

 

All parties were invited to question ZK on his submission.

 

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Senior Solicitor and the Section Leader, ZK discussed his personal circumstances and elaborated further on the situations that lead to his convictions.

 

The Chair invited ZK to make a final statement. 

 

ZK apologised to all parties and stated he needed to support his family.

 

ZK and the Section Leader left the room to allow the Sub-Committee to determine the matter.

 

The Chair invited all parties to return.

 

The Chair detailed the decision of the Sub-Committee.

 

Resolved:

That, having considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral, the Sub-Committee resolved to depart from the Council Guidelines relating to Relevance of Convictions and Breaches of Licence Conditions and grant ZK a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for a period of 12 months, subject to ZK passing the knowledge test, a satisfactory medical, and producing documentation of his immigration status/ right to work in the UK.