Agenda item

The Chair invited Elaine Moreton, Section Leader, Licensing, and the Private Hire Vehicle Operator (AD) into the Hearing. AD was accompanied his mother and 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 a review prior to renewal 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 Sub-Committee for consideration to be given as to whether AD was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence due to the information outlined 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 AD to make representations.

Mr Schiller made representations on behalf of his client. He discussed AD’s employment history as a Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator and stated that AD had made mistakes due to lack of experience. Mr Schiller detailed the situations that led to the breach of licence conditions and explained how AD had addressed these. He stated AD was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence and had learnt from his mistakes.

Mr Schiller requested that the Sub-Committee received a number of supporting press articles relating to his client. The Sub-Committee agreed to the request (copies filed with these minutes).

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

In response to questions asked, AD and Mr Schiller elaborated further on the situations that lead to the breach of licence conditions and discussed further how AD had put measures in place to ensure they would not happen again.

The Chair invited AD to make a final statement and Mr Schiller did so on behalf of his client. He stated that AD had made mistakes but had made significant investments and changes to his business model to address them.

AD, 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 which was read out by the Senior Solicitor.

Resolved:

The Sub-Committee considered all the evidence presented at the Hearing, both written and oral and having considered all the information presented, the Licensing Sub-Committee did not find AD to be a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence.

In accordance with Sections 55 and 62 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and paragraphs 5.1.19 and 5.1.25 of the Council’s guidelines the Sub-Committee decided that the application for renewal was refused. It was noted that the licence granted on 30.10.17 expired on 29.10.18 and therefore review of that licence was not necessary and renewal only had been determined. Full reasons for the decision would be detailed in a decision letter forwarded to AD.

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.