Agenda and minutes

To elect a Member to act as Chair of the meeting.

Decision

That Councillor Tim Grogan be elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

(Councillor Grogan in the Chair)

There were no apologies for absence.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Decision

The Sub Committee agreed the procedure for the meeting as outlined by the Chair.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of items 6 and 7 on the grounds that these involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The 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 no 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.

Members considered the following:

1.     The report from the Corporate Director of Environment.

2.     Oral submissions made by the applicant.

3.     Oral submissions from the Licensing Authority.

4.     The North Yorkshire Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

5.     Relevant legislation.

6.     Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards issued by the DfT.

The panel also had regard to the North Yorkshire Council Taxi Licensing Policy and relevant statutory guidance.

The licensing officer and applicant made presentations to the Sub-Committee, together with the applicant’s employer.  Cross questioning was undertaken following the presentations.

Resolved -

That, after having considered the content of the report and the verbal presentations, that the applicant was not a fit and proper person in accordance with paragraphs 298, 499 and 506 of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, therefore was not a fit and proper person within the meaning of Sections 51 and 59 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and consequently refused his application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence.

Members considered the following:

1.     The report from the Corporate Director of Environment.

2.     Oral submissions from the Licensing Authority.

3.     A written communication from the applicant stating he would not be attending the Sub-Committee meeting and had handed his badges and plates back.

4.     The North Yorkshire Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

5.     Relevant legislation.

6.     Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards issued by the DfT.

The panel also had regard to the North Yorkshire Taxi Licensing Policy and the relevant statutory guidance.

The licensing officer made a presentation to the Sub-Committee.  Members asked questions following the presentation.

Resolved –

That, after having considered the content of the report and the verbal presentation, that the driver was no longer a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence within the meaning of Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and consequently his dual licences as a hackney carriage and private hire driver were revoked.