The Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee convened to address licensing matters, focusing on private hire and Hackney carriage vehicle drivers. The committee reviewed a private hire vehicle driver's license, and also considered two applications for the renewal of Hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver's licenses, ultimately deciding to allow one license to continue, to renew one license for a shortened period with a condition attached, and to renew the other license for a full term.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence Renewals

The Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee reviewed two applications for the renewal of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licences under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. For both applications, the Sub-Committee considered paragraph 5.4 of the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, which offers guidance on determining whether an individual is a 'fit and proper person' to hold such a license. The committee had the option to renew the licenses with or without additional conditions, or to refuse the renewal. Applicants have the right to appeal the Sub-Committee's decision at the Magistrates Court, and subsequently at the Crown Court if necessary.

First Licence Renewal

The Sub-Committee agreed to renew the first licence for a period of 12 months, deeming the applicant a fit and proper person under Section 5.1 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. However, this renewal was subject to a condition:

Condition 1 – that if further allegations or convictions are made against the applicant within the next 12 months any application for renewal of their licences will be referred straight to the Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee for determination. However, if no further allegations or convictions are made against the Licence Holder then any application to renew their licences would be determined in accordance with North Lincolnshire Council's Taxi Licensing Policy.

The Sub-Committee acknowledged that criminal allegations against the licence holder had not been pursued by the police, but they were concerned that the licence holder was demonstrating a pattern of behaviour that diverged from the council's expectations. The councillors emphasised that the safety of the public was their paramount concern, and reminded the licence holder that a high standard of conduct was expected at all times.

Second Licence Renewal

The Sub-Committee agreed to renew the second licence for a period of twelve months, being satisfied that the Licence Holder was a fit and proper person in accordance with section 5.1 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976. The councillors considered the circumstances under which the Licence Holder had received motoring convictions in 2024, including failure to declare the offences as required under the conditions of their licence and the renewal application process. The councillors acknowledged the mitigation put forward by the Licence Holder at the hearing and were satisfied following their verbal presentation that they showed genuine remorse for their actions and had confidence that they would take appropriate steps to mitigate further offences happening in the future. If the Licence Holder does not commit any further offences before their licence is due to be renewed, then the renewal can be dealt with in accordance with North Lincolnshire Council's Taxi Licensing Policy and does not need to be determined by the Sub-Committee. The applicant was reminded that the standard of a fit and proper person always applied to their conduct, and that the councillors demand a standard of behaviour which provides a positive image of the taxi trade in North Lincolnshire and expect all licence holders to adhere to the conditions attached to their licence, the Taxi Licence Policy and the Byelaws at all times.

Review of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence

The Licensing (Miscellaneous) Sub-Committee considered a review of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, following a report from the Director Communities. The Sub-Committee had several options: take no action, warn the licence holder, add conditions to the licence, suspend the licence, or revoke it. The licence holder has the right to appeal any additional conditions, restrictions or revocation at the Magistrates Court, and subsequently at the Crown Court if necessary.

The Sub-Committee agreed to allow the Licence Holder's Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence to continue until it is due to be renewed. The councillors acknowledged the mitigation put forward by the Licence Holder at the hearing and were satisfied, following their verbal presentation that they had showed genuine remorse for their actions. The councillors considered paragraph 5.4 of the Department of Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire vehicles Standards, and agreed to allow the Licence Holder's Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence to continue until it is due to be renewed as the councillors were satisfied that the Licence Holder was a fit and proper person in accordance with section 5.1 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976. If the Licence Holder has not committed any further offences from the date of this hearing up to and including the date that their Licence is due to be renewed, then the renewal of their Private hire Vehicle Driver's Licence can be dealt with in accordance with the Council's Taxi Licensing Policy and does not need to be determined by the Sub-Committee.

Previous Minutes

The Sub-Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2025 as a correct record.