Issue - meetings

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader Licensing, Onkaren Sandhu, Section Leader Licensing, and the Applicant (RA) into the Hearing. RA was accompanied by his Solicitor, Mr Anthony Schiller. The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

Elaine Moreton, 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 RA was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence due to the information outlined in the report.

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

The Chair invited RA to make representations.

Mr Schiller made representations on behalf of his client. He outlined his client’s convictions and stated that RA was rehabilitated and had learnt from his mistakes. He stated that RA had rebuilt his life and was now older and wiser.

All parties were invited to question RA and Mr Schiller on the submission.

In response to questions asked, Mr Schiller detailed the circumstances that led to his client’s convictions and stated that RA had not been in trouble for a decade.

In response to further questions, RA stated that he had made one mistake and he was now a changed person.

The Chair invited Mr Schiller and RA to make a final statement. Mr Schiller did so.

RA, Mr Schiller, Elaine Moreton and Onkaren Sandhu left the room to allow the Sub-Committee to determine the matter.

All parties were invited back to the meeting.

The Chair advised them of the decision of the Sub-Committee, which was explained in full by the Senior Solicitor.

Resolved:

That having considered all the evidence both written and oral, provided at the hearing, the Sub-Committee was not satisfied that RA was a fit and proper person and therefore, in accordance with Section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence was not granted. This decision was made in accordance with paragraph 5.1.9 of the guidelines relating to the relevance of convictions and breaches of licence conditions agreed by the Non-Statutory Licence Committee on 20 March 2019.

The Senior Solicitor detailed the applicant’s right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court against the decision of the Sub-Committee, within 21 days of receipt of the decision, and the potential costs of doing so.