The General Licensing Sub Committee convened to discuss a single agenda item regarding a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence. Following a closed session, the committee decided to revoke the combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licence.

Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence

The central issue of the meeting was to determine whether a licence holder was 'fit and proper' to hold a combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licence. After hearing from the Licensing and Enforcement Officer, and considering both written and verbal submissions from the licence holder, the committee resolved to revoke the licence.

The decision was based on a number of factors:

• Speeding Offences: The licence holder had accumulated nine penalty points for three speeding offences within a short period, and was awaiting a court hearing for a further speeding incident. The panel noted that the licence holder's actions placed the public at risk.
• Non-compliance with Licence Requirements: The licence holder had failed to ensure that the CCTV in their vehicle was operational, contravening the Council's Taxi Policies and the requirements of their Combined Licence.
• Lack of Understanding of Obligations: The licence holder admitted to not having read the documents provided upon being licensed, indicating a failure to understand the obligations of their licence and the policies designed to protect the public.
• Inappropriate Conversation: The panel felt that the licence holder had engaged in inappropriate conversation with two 12-year-old passengers. The panel noted that the licence holder stated on reflection that:

I think it may have felt a bit intensive, too didactic or too much to process, a bit too heavily informational and 'educational', and perhaps even simply too much of 'talking' as such. I can understand that.

The committee determined that the licence holder was not 'fit and proper' or 'safe and suitable' to hold a licence. The panel stated that they would not allow a loved one to travel in a vehicle with the licence holder.

In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee took into consideration:

• The report and evidence of the Licensing Officer, including audio recordings of a complaint.
• The written and verbal submissions from the Licence Holder.
• The provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
• The Human Rights Act 1998 and of The First Protocol, Article 1¹.
• The Council's Policy and Guidelines.

The licence holder was informed of their right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of receiving the decision letter.