Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

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.

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

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

The Section Leader noted that despite email correspondence with Donna Cope, Democratic Services, the Operator was not in attendance.

All parties were invited to question the Section Leader on the report. The Section Leader responded to questions asked.

Dave Abel, Senior Solicitor, advised the Sub-Committee that although the Limited Company (holder of the licence) had dissolved, they were still legally allowed to trade until the licence had expired.

Members of the Sub-Committee were extremely concerned about this, and it was agreed that a condition addressing this would be added to the Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence Terms and Conditions.

The Chair invited the Section Leader to make a final statement. The Section Leader did so.

Dave Abel, Senior Solicitor, outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee.

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

Elaine Moreton and Onkaren Sandhu 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 of the documentation before them and having heard the representations from those in attendance, the Sub-Committee was not satisfied that the Operator was a fit and proper to hold an Operator’s Licence and therefore decided to revoke the licence pursuant to Section 62 (1) (c) and (d) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976.