The Regulatory Sub Committee met on 18 September 2025, electing Councillor Les Cruwys as Chair. The committee then excluded the press and public to discuss whether a person holding a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence was fit and proper to do so. The sub-committee decided to take no action in relation to the Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver Licence and the Private Hire Operator Licence, but adjourned a decision on the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Licences for three months, pending a review by the Licensing Team.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence

The Regulatory Sub Committee considered whether a licence holder was fit and proper to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence with Mid Devon District Council. The Licensing Team had provided information that raised concerns about the applicant's suitability to hold a licence.

The sub-committee made the following decisions:

1. To take no action in relation to the Combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver Licence and the Private Hire Operator Licence.
2. To adjourn the decision regarding the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Licences for 3 months. During this time, the licence holder is expected to implement and review procedures and systems to address vehicle maintenance concerns. The Licensing Team will conduct a review and report back to the sub-committee. If the report is positive, no further action will be taken. If the report is not positive, the matter will be brought back to the sub-committee for reconsideration.

The sub-committee explained the reasons for their decision, stating that public safety was the primary consideration, as outlined in the council's Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle policy. The sub-committee noted that licensees must consider the safety, security, and welfare of passengers, customers, and the public. They also noted that licensees are professionals undertaking a highly responsible activity that protects and ensures the safety of their passengers, customers, other road users, and the public at large.

The sub-committee expressed concern regarding the history of the matter and the number of concerns that had arisen over time, for which it did not appear appropriate remedial action had been taken to resolve. However, the sub-committee felt that the licence holder should be given an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to making improvements.

The sub-committee also recommended that the licence holder follow up any emails with attachments sent to the council with a separate email to advise that documents have been sent and requesting confirmation of receipt.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The sub-committee considered whether the hearing to determine if a person is fit and proper to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence should be held in public or private.

They agreed that the hearing should be conducted in closed session and passed a resolution to exclude the press and public, citing Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972¹. This section allows for the exclusion of the public when the discussion involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to an individual.

Election of Chair

Councillor Les Cruwys was elected as Chair of the Sub-Committee.