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 29^th August 2019, attached.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 29 August 2019 were approved as a correct record.

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Constitution, the Chief Executive has determined that the reports submitted under items 5, 6 and 7 of this agenda are “Not for Publication” because they contain “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.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 these items, it will need to pass the following resolution:

“That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst agenda items 5, 6 and 7 are being considered, as they refer 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Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive had determined that the report submitted under item 5 of this agenda was “Not for Publication” because it contains “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the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 is being 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”.

Report of the Service Director Health and Wellbeing

The Service Director for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report to provide members of the Licensing Committee with information to assist them at the hearing.

The Wyre dual driver licence holder was unable to attend the meeting and so it was agreed, after discussion, that the item be DEFERRED until the next meeting of the committee on 31 October 2019.

Report of the Service Director Health and Wellbeing

The Service Director for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report to provide members of the Licensing Committee with information to assist them at the hearing.

The applicant was present at the meeting and was supported by a friend and colleague.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report.

The applicant and his supporter spoke to the committee, explaining the circumstances of the previous revocation, as referred to within the report.

The applicant’s supporter spoke in defence of his character, the circumstances of the application and advocated for the approval of a Wyre Taxi Driver licence.

Members of the committee put questions to the applicant, which were answered by both the applicant and his supporter.

After thorough and pertinent questioning, the applicant and his supporter, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Senior Compliance Officer left the room whilst the committee members considered the decision in a closed session.

The Senior Licensing Officer was asked to attend the closed session to explain in more detail Wyre’s application process which all applicants for drivers licence had to follow.

The Senior Licensing Officer, left once again before a decision was taken.

In reaching its decision the committee had regard to:

1. Part II. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976 Section 61 and
2. The Wyre Council Policy on Convictions and other Relevant Matters.

The applicant and his supporter, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Senor Compliance Officer were brought back into the room as the Licensing Committee reconvened and the Chairman announced the committee’s decision.

Decision

The committee resolved to APPROVE the application and grant a three year dual drivers licence.

Reasons for the decision

The Committee was satisfied that the applicant was a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a Wyre Dual Drivers Licence.

Report of the Service Director Health and Wellbeing

The Service Director for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report to provide members of the Licensing Committee with information to assist them at the hearing.

The applicant was present at the meeting.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report.

The applicant spoke to the committee, setting out his perspective relating to the circumstances leading to the previous conviction, as outlined in the report.

The applicant, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Senior Compliance Officer left the room whilst the committee members considered the decision in a closed session.

In reaching its decision the committee had regard to:

1. Part II. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976 Section 61 and
2. The Wyre Council Policy on Convictions and other Relevant Matters.

The applicant, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Senor Compliance Officer were brought back into the room as the Licensing Committee reconvened and the Chairman announced the committee’s decision.

Decision

The committee resolved to APPROVE the application and grant a three year dual driver’s licence

Reasons for the decision

The Committee was satisfied that the applicant was a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a Wyre Dual Drivers Licence.