The Miscellaneous Licensing Committee met to discuss several applications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licences, ultimately granting one application with conditions, refusing five, and addressing an urgent item by refusing another application in the absence of the applicant. The committee also reviewed the minutes from their previous meeting on 15 August 2025, approving them with an amendment to the start time.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence Applications

The committee reviewed several applications for Hackney Carriage¹ and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licences, making decisions based on the applicants' suitability and adherence to council policies.

Application for Grant of Licence - WD207

The committee refused the application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for applicant WD207. The applicant was not present at the meeting, and had also failed to attend the previous meeting where the matter had been deferred to allow them to attend. The committee noted that the Council's guidelines state that for an offence similar to that for which WD207 received a caution, an applicant will not be licensed. The committee stated that, having considered the written submissions from the applicant, on balance, Members felt that the evidence supported their view that WD207 was not a fit and proper person to be granted a licence and that it was therefore not appropriate to depart from their Policy in respect of this specific matter.

Application for Grant of Licence - WD209

The committee refused the application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for applicant WD209. Members noted that there had been some confusion as to whether WD209 meets the DVLA Group 2 medical standards. Members were concerned by the final report from the applicant's GP but accepted that the evidence provided showed that the applicant did meet the Group 2 requirements. However, members were very concerned by the driving endorsements on WD209's drivers' licence and noted that he had received a total of 9 points for three separate offences. The committee stated that on balance, the total of 9 points provided sufficient evidence to support their view that the driving offences were not a one off and, on balance, Members felt that WD209 was not a fit and proper person to be granted a licence.

Application for Renewal of Licence - CD287

The committee resolved to grant the application for the renewal of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for applicant CD287, but subject to the receipt of satisfactory stress echocardiogram and myocardial perfusion scan. Members noted that the Consultant Cardiologist stated that the applicant may require further tests for vocational licensing purposes but that these tests had not yet been undertaken. The committee felt that it was reasonable and proportionate to request these additional medical tests to be undertaken prior to the renewal of the licence. The committee stated that if issues are identified in the medical tests, then the applicant should be brought back before the Committee for further consideration.

Application for Grant of Licence - W1D166

As an urgent item, the committee considered an application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for applicant W1D166. The applicant was not in attendance at the meeting, stating that he was unable to attend as he was working, but the Committee felt it appropriate to continue in their absence. The committee refused the application, noting the details regarding the conviction and caution for offences involving violence and also the endorsements on W1D166's drivers' licence for exceeding the speed limit on two occasions, resulting in 6 penalty points. Members noted the comments from HR Safeguarding that W1D166 was not suitable to be licensed, and that W1D166 was still under a suspended prison sentence. The committee stated that on balance, Members felt that it was appropriate, on this specific occasion, to refuse the application as they did not consider W1D166 to be a fit and proper person to be a licensed driver.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee reviewed the minutes of the meeting of the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee held on 15 August 2025 and resolved that they were correctly recorded and would be signed by the Chairman, subject to the correction of the start time of the meeting being amended to 10.30am in lieu of 10.00am.