The Licensing and Appeals Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Monday 3 August 2026. The meeting's agenda included the consideration of urgent business, appeals, and a review of a private hire driver licence.

Review of a Private Hire Driver Licence - ZA

The panel was scheduled to consider a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding a review of a private hire driver licence, identified as ZA. The report pack indicated that this item contained exempt information, meaning that the public would likely be excluded from this part of the meeting. The Local Government Act 1972 allows for the exclusion of the public from meetings when confidential information is being discussed, provided that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. The agenda stated that officers considered the public interest in maintaining the exemption to outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

Appeals

The agenda also included a section for appeals. This was scheduled to cover any appeals from the public against the refusal to allow inspection of background documents or the inclusion of items in the confidential part of the agenda.

Urgent Business

The panel was also set to consider any urgent business that the Chair, Councillor Julie Connolly, had agreed to submit.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the committee were scheduled to have an opportunity to declare any personal, prejudicial, or disclosable pecuniary interests they might have in any items on the agenda. They were also to record any items from which they were precluded from voting due to Council Tax or council rent arrears, and to declare the existence and nature of any party whipping arrangements.

The Licensing and Appeals Sub-Committee Hearing Panel is responsible for fulfilling the functions of the Licensing Authority in relation to the licensing of taxi drivers, street traders, and sexual entertainment venues. Decisions made by the panel are under delegated authority and do not require referral to the full Council for approval. The committee operates under an agreed procedure for considering applications, and meetings are chaired by Councillor Julie Connolly. The council aims to keep confidential business to a minimum.