Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters under consideration.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on Tuesday 28 May 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on the 28 May 2024 were approved as an accurate record by those in attendance.

In accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive has determined that the report submitted under item 5 of this agenda is “Not for Publication” because it contains “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

If the Committee agrees that the public and press should be excluded for this item, it will need to pass the following resolution:

“That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst agenda item 5 be considered, as it refers to exempt information as defined in category 1 (information relating to any individual) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and, that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”.

In accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive had determined that the report submitted under agenda item 5 of the agenda were “Not for Publication”, as defined in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee passed the following resolution “That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst agenda item 5 was being considered, as they referred to exempt information as defined in category 1 (information relating to any individual) Variation Order 2006 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information”.

Report of the Director of Environment.

The Chair introduced the committee and the officers in attendance at the meeting.

The applicant introduced themselves. The Chair ensured the committee that they had received all necessary information and paperwork for the hearing.

Mandy Seddon, Manager of Food, Health & Safety and Licensing, introduced the report. She explained that the applicant was before members to determine whether they were a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a Wyre Council Dual Driver’s License.

The applicant spoke on behalf of themselves. They explained how their registered conviction occurred and the extensive rehabilitation and retraining they had undertaken to become employable within the service industry. The applicant highlighted that they had no further trouble with the law since their conviction and wished to apply for a dual driver’s license to begin a new career within the taxi industry.

The committee provided several questions and comments which are summarised below:

•           Councillor Rushforth asked for clarification on when the applicants conviction took place. The applicant confirmed that his prison sentence began in August 2014.

•           Councillor Nicols questioned why the applicant wanted to become a taxi driver when they had qualifications in hospitality and management. The applicant explained that he had lost interest in the industry after the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and wanted to begin a stimulating career as a taxi driver.

•           The applicant confirmed to the committee that the personal license they had obtained enabled them to manage a hospitality business.

•           It was highlighted that the applicant was currently on universal credit while waiting for employment. If the application for the dual driver’s license was granted the applicant would gain employment with an identified taxi firm.

•           The Chair asked whether the applicant had higher career aspirations beyond taxiing. The applicant explained that a career in taxiing was something that appealed to their higher sense of purpose and self-worth.

The applicant summarised their case.

The applicant left the room to allow the committee to discuss their recommendation in private session.

In reaching their decision, the committee considered:

1.         The Council’s own Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy

2.         The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

The Licensing Committee then reconvened, and the Chair announced the decision.

Decision

To approve the application for the Wyre Council Dual Driver License under sections (relevant sections for legal) of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.

Upon reaching the decision, an additional requirement would be that a Group 2 document would need to be obtained from the applicant’s General Practitioner for the dual driver’s license to be granted.