Issue - meetings

To consider a confidential report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy enclosed) seeking members’ review of a licence to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles in respect of Driver No. 044473.

RESOLVED that –

(a)     consideration of the suitability of Driver No. 044473 to hold a hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers licence be deferred to the next meeting of the committee to provide a further opportunity for the Driver to attend and present his case, and

(b)     a letter be sent to Driver No. 044473 advising him of the committee’s decision above, requesting his attendance at the committee’s next meeting and impressing upon him the seriousness of the matter.

A confidential report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (previously circulated) was submitted upon –

(i)            the suitability of Driver No. 044473 to hold a licence to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles;

(ii)          concerns having been raised by Licensing Enforcement Officers regarding the conduct of the licensed driver on a number of separate occasions (a summary of facts together with witness statements having been attached to the report);

(iii)         the Driver having been invited to attend the meeting in support of his licence review and to answer members’ questions thereon.

The Driver was not present at the meeting despite being invited to attend.  In the absence of an explanation from the Driver regarding his non attendance the committee agreed to proceed in his absence.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer (HB) introduced the report and detailed the summary of facts of the case.  Members took the opportunity to raise questions and the officers clarified the association of the Driver to the business and taxi referred to within the incidents and the behaviour of the Driver during the events concerned.  It was clarified that during the multi agency taxi operation in February 2013 licensed vehicles had been inspected generally and other vehicles were also tested.  Officers were concerned about the Driver’s failure to engage with them and other officials, the attitude he had displayed and his disregard of authority.  The Public Protection Manager highlighted that Enforcement Officers had a difficult and challenging role and maintained positive relationships with licensees in the main and issues would not be brought before committee unless significant.

The committee adjourned to consider the case and it was –

RESOLVED that –

(a)       consideration of the suitability of Driver No. 044473 to hold a hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers licence be deferred to the next meeting of the committee to provide a further opportunity for the Driver to attend and present his case, and

(b)       a letter be sent to Driver No. 044473 advising him of the committee’s decision above, requesting his attendance at the committee’s next meeting and impressing upon him the seriousness of the matter.

Having considered the evidence presented the committee expressed serious concerns regarding the behaviour of the Driver in this case and considered their powers in terms of suspension and revocation.  In the absence of the Driver and hearing his version of events however the committee agreed that the Driver be given a further opportunity to present his case to the Licensing Committee before a determination was made.  Consequently it was resolved to defer consideration of the suitability of the Driver to the committee’s next meeting and to invite him to attend advising him of the committee’s decision and the seriousness of the matter.