Issue - meetings

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Private Hire Vehicle Driver (SH) into the Hearing. SH was accompanied by his friend Mr Khan. The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

The Section Leader, Licensing, outlined the report regarding a review of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, which had been circulated to all parties inadvance of the meeting. The matter had been referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration to be given as to whether SH was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

The section leader reported the following updates since the report had been published:

·      SH had submitted a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence renewal application, so therefore Members would be reviewing his current licence and determining his renewal application;

·      Witness statements had been received from Stockport Council;

·      SH had not received a warning letter from Stockport Council as stated in the report.

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

The Chair invited SH to make his submission.

Mr Khan, friend of SH, made representations on his behalf. He discussed the situations that led to the allegations made against him and stated they were not true. He also advised the Sub-Committee that the application in question had been completed by an agency, not by SH.

All parties were invited to question SH on his submission.

In response to questions asked, Mr Khan and SH elaborated further on the situations that led to the alleged misconduct and stated that the allegations were not true.

The Chair invited SH to make a final statement.

Mr Khan did so on behalf of SH. He stated again that the allegations were untrue, and that SH wanted a chance to prove himself.

SH, Mr Khan 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 which was read out by the Senior Solicitor.

Resolved:

The Sub-Committee considered all the evidence before them, both written and oral, provided at the hearing. The Sub-Committee were not satisfied that SH was a fit and proper person and therefore, in accordance with Section 51 and Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, decided that SH’s Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence would be revoked and his application to renew would be refused. 

The decision was made in accordance with paragraphs 5.1.10, 5.1.25 and 5.1.9 of the guidelines relating to relevance of convictions and breaches of licence conditions agreed by the Non-Statutory Licensing 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.

Councillor Wendy Thompson withdrew from the meeting.