Issue - meetings

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

Meeting: 04/04/2019 - Regulatory Sub-Committee (Item 6)

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Applicant (MA) 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 MA was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence due to the information outlined in the report.

 

The Section Leader advised the Sub-Committee that the new Council Guidelines relating to relevance of convictions and breaches of licence conditions were now in place and as a result, some of the dates within the report had changed. The Section Leader confirmed the amended dates.

 

MA confirmed that the information contained within the report was accurate.

 

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report. Elaine Moreton provided responses to questions asked.

 

The Chair invited MA to make representations.

 

MA discussed the situation that led to the allegations being made against him and he detailed his personal circumstances. He admitted to plying for hire, which he deeply regretted, but stated the allegations of assault were not true.

 

All parties were invited to question MA on his submission.

 

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Section Leader and Solicitor, MA discussed his employment history as a Hackney Carriage Driver and elaborated further on the situations that led to the alleged assault.

 

The Chair invited MA to make a final statement.

 

MA stated that the allegations of assault made against him were not true and had ruined his life. He stated he was a good person and needed work to support his family. He stated that apart from the allegation of assault no other complaints had ever been made against him whilst working as a taxi driver.

 

MA 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:

 

Having considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral, the Sub-Committee resolved that the applicant was a fit and proper person and therefore they determined to depart from the guidelines and grant MA a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence subject to the following:

 

  • That the Applicant attended a Review Hearing before the Licensing Sub-Committee after six months from grant of his licence.

 

  • On attending the six-month review hearing it would assist if the Applicant wereto produce a letter of reference from the company he was working for as to his performance as a private hire vehicle driver whilst licensed.

 

Granting of the licence was also subject to MA passing the knowledge test, a satisfactory medical, and producing documentation of his immigration status/ right to work in the UK.

 

The Senior Solicitor detailed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6