North Yorkshire Council
General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 19 January 2026 commencing at 10.00 am.
Councillors Kevin Foster, Tim Grogan and Andy Paraskos.
Officers present: Lynne Ashton, Senior Solicitor, Chris Doyle, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Paula Bellwood, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Sophie Bird, Licensing Enforcement Officer (Observing); and Dawn Drury, Democratic Services Officer.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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1 |
Election of Chair
Decision
That Councillor Tim Grogan be elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting.
(Councillor Grogan in the Chair)
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2 |
Apologies for absence
There were no apologies for absence.
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3 |
Disclosures of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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4 |
Procedure for meeting
Decision
The Sub Committee agreed the procedure for the meeting as outlined by the Chair.
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5 |
Exclusion of the Press and public
Decision
That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item of business at minute number 6 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Panel was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
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6 |
Review of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licence
The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the report and appendices of the Corporate Director of Environment which asked Members to consider whether the licence holder was a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.
Members are advised to make the relevant findings of fact on the balance of probability and take one of the following options:
In the event of a suspension or revocation being imposed, the licence holder had a right of appeal (within 21 days) and the decision would not automatically take effect until the appeal period had lapsed or appeal proceedings had concluded. The Sub-Committee may, however, give immediate effect to any suspension or revocation if it appeared to Members that the interests of public safety required such a course of action, and the decision would automatically take effect until the appeal period had lapsed or appeal proceedings had concluded.
Decision
Members were unanimous in their decision that the licence holder was a fit and proper person within the meaning of sections 51 and 59 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and consequently decided not to suspend or revoke the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Dual Drivers’ Licence.
The Licensing Sub-Committee Members considered that the licence holder’s verbal representations as to the circumstances leading to the hearing had persuaded them that an exception to policy should be made in this case. The Licensing Sub-Committee Members accepted the licence holder’s explanation, and this coupled with the facts that the licence holder was an experienced taxi driver of over 25 years, who appeared to be aware of the Licensing Authority’s policy and conditions, and against whom no complaints had been received by the Licensing Authority, the Licensing Sub-Committee Members considered this justified an exception to policy being made for the licence holder.
The Licensing Sub-Committee concluded that a final written warning should be given to the licence holder which should remain on their file for 12 months from the date of this Licensing Sub-Committee hearing.
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7 |
Return to Public Session
Decision
Members voted to return to public session during consideration of the item of business at minute number 8.
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8 |
Application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence
The Corporate Director, Environment sought the determination by the Sub-Committee of an application for a private hire vehicle licence that did not comply with the standard criteria as stated in the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.
The options available to the Sub-Committee were
· To grant the application for one year.
· To grant the application including additional conditions; or
· To reject the application.
Decision
Having considered the written and verbal reports by the Licensing Enforcement Officer and the licence holder, a physical examination of the vehicle, the Sub-Committee Members decided the vehicle, being a Seat Alhambra vehicle licence PHV 418C, was in exceptional condition and the private hire vehicle licence should be extended for a further 12 months.
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The meeting concluded at 11.11 am.