To receive apologies for absence.

None.

The duties to register, disclose and not to participate for the entire consideration of the matter, in respect of any matter in which a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest are set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011.  Those Members are also required to withdraw from the meeting room as stated in the Standing Orders of this Council.

None.

Following introductions, the meeting commenced. The procedures were explained to the Licence Holder.

To consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A to the Act.”

Part B – Item from which the press and the public are excluded

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Report of Craig Fowler - Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Licensing Panel heard the applicant in accordance with the Council’s agreed procedure.

The Hearing took place in the presence of the Licence Holder, a Licensing Officer, the Licensing Team Leader and the Legal Services Manager.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which was to determine an application for the renewal of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers’ licence.

The Licence Holder was given the opportunity to put his case forward.

Members were asked to consider the information in the report to determine if the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Breckland Council Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Drivers Licence in line with legislation and policy and was a safe and suitable person for the role

Following a number of questions to clarify the circumstances the Licence Holder together with the Licensing Officers withdrew from the meeting to allow Members to consider their options.

The Licence Holder and Licensing Officers were invited back to hear the decision.

The Legal Services Manager advised the Licence Holder that in considering its decision the Panel took into account the fact that safety of the public was paramount, and that as a taxi driver the Licence Holder must be a person of trust.

Members of the Panel considered the application for the renewal of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers’ licence in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 and the current Breckland Council Taxi Policy.

Members considered the information in the report and the evidence given by the Applicant to determine if the Applicant remained a fit and proper person to hold a Breckland Council Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Drivers Licence in line with legislation and policy and was a safe and suitable person for the role.

The Panel noted that any motoring conviction demonstrated a lack of professionalism and should be considered seriously.  It was accepted that offences could be committed unintentionally but the two offences had been committed within one month.

The Panel took into account the applicant’s circumstances at the time the offences were committed, his remorsefulness at committing such offences and having to appear before the Panel, and that they had co-operated fully with all enquiries regarding the application.

The Panel noted that the Applicant had learnt from these offences and had taken steps to ensure it does not happen again. The Panel would recommend that they consider a speed awareness type course, although they are not making this a condition of the licence and sincerely hope that they would not have to appear before them again. The Panel reminds the Applicant that if they receive any additional penalty points that they will have to appear before the Panel.

The Panel are content that the Applicant remains a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire taxi drivers’ licence and agree that the license should be renewed.

RESOLVED to renew the applicants Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s license.

The Applicant has a right of appeal to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10/21