To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Dale.  Councillor Monument, the substitute Member was in attendance.

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 declared.

The procedures were read aloud by the Chairman.

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 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 Hearing took place in the presence of the applicant, the Licensing Team Leader, the Legal Services Manager and two Licensing Officers, both of whom were in attendance to observe.

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

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report which was to determine an application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s licence.

The applicant was given the opportunity to put his case forward.   The applicant said that since passing his driving test he had helped various friends and family to pass theirs and every single official document that related to driving that he had received he had passed with flying colours.

The Chairman and Members of the Hearing Panel asked the applicant a number of questions which the applicant responded with full explanations. 

The Vice-Chairman asked the applicant why he had registered at Companies House for a licence as a business as a taxi driver.

The applicant explained that if his licence was granted, he would be able to start his taxi driving business immediately.

The applicant was then asked if he would like to summarise his reasons for applying for a licence.

The applicant, the Licensing Team Leader and the two Licensing Officers then left the room whilst the Panel made its determination. They were then invited back to hear the decision.

DECISION:

Members of the Panel considered the application for 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 Taxi Policy.

Members considered the information in the report and the evidence given by the applicant to determine if the applicant should be granted a taxi drivers license, this included personal references and that he had been driving for many years.

The Panel must consider and be satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to drive and perform the duties of a taxi driver and is also safe and suitable to perform that role.

The safety of the public is the paramount consideration when making that decision.

The Breckland Taxi Policy dated January 2022 incorporates various conditions which must be complied with.

The Panel should only go against the Policy if there is a clear and compelling reason to do so.  The Panel have considered the circumstances and do not consider that this is a clear and compelling reason and therefore it was:

RESOLVED not to grant the applicant a taxi drivers’ licence.

The applicant has 21 days in which to appeal this decision.