Issue - meetings

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Applicant (AK) into the Hearing. AK was accompanied by her Solicitor, Mr Anthony Schiller. 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.

The Section Leader advised that AK had previously submitted character references and wished for them to be considered by the Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee agreed to the request (copies filed with these minutes).

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report.

Mr Schiller, Solicitor representing AK, stated that some of the dates within the report were incorrect. He provided the correct dates and confirmed that his client had not be prejudiced by the inaccuracies within the report.

The Chair invited AK to make representations.

Mr Schiller made representations on behalf of his client. He stated that AK had held a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s licence with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council for 9 years and during that time she had not received a single complaint. He detailed the circumstances that led to his client’s conviction and stated she was a good, hardworking person who would be an asset to the trade.

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

In response to questions asked, AK and Mr Schiller elaborated further on the situations that lead to AK’s conviction and confirmed that she had a clean driving licence.

The Chair invited AK to make a final statement and Mr Schiller did so on behalf of his client. He stated that AK had a good history as a licensed driver and had learnt from her mistakes.

AK, Mr Schiller 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 subject to AK passing the knowledge test, a satisfactory medical, and producing documentation of her immigration status/ right to work in the UK.