The Licensing Sub-Committee for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council met on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, to consider the suitability of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers. The Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss whether a new applicant and a current licence holder were 'fit and proper' persons to hold their respective licences. Councillors were also asked to note the protocol for public speaking at licensing hearings.

Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver Application

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a new application for a Public Carriage Driver's Licence. The applicant had previously held a licence with BCP Council, but it was revoked in November 2024.

The report pack included complete information from Dorset Police regarding an incident that occurred in Poole on 27 October 2024, as well as the applicant's statement and a statement from the Dorset Police officer who investigated the incident.

Councillors were asked to determine whether the driver was a 'fit and proper' person to hold a Hackney Carriage and/or Private Hire driver licence, as per sections 51(1) and 59(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The BCP Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Policy 2021-2025 states that anyone wishing to make an application must prove that they are fit and proper to be issued with a driver's licence. Section 7.10 states that applications will be assessed with reference to the 'Fit and Proper' criteria as set out in Chapter 8.

The report pack quoted paragraph 8.2 of the policy, which states that:

Passengers are potentially vulnerable when being transported due to; their age, unaccompanied children, people with a disability, those who may have consumed excessive quantities of alcohol, lone people and overseas' visitors or tourists to the area.

The report pack also noted that the Department for Transport updated its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in November 2022. Paragraph 3 states:

The primary and overriding objective of licensing (the taxi and PHV trade) must be to protect the public. The importance of ensuring that the licensing regime protects the vulnerable cannot be overestimated.

The Sub-Committee was advised that if they were only 50/50 as to whether the applicant or licensee is fit and proper, they should not hold a licence.

Private Hire Driver Licence

The Licensing Sub-Committee was also scheduled to consider whether a driver remained a 'fit and proper' person to hold a Private Hire driver licence.

The report pack stated that the licensing team had received several complaints regarding the standard of driving by this licenced driver, indicating a clear pattern of behaviour which the driver had not addressed despite informal actions taken by officers in the form of guidance and support.

Councillors were asked to determine whether the driver remained a 'fit and proper' person to hold a Private Hire driver licence.

Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the council to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a driver's Licence for any reasonable cause.

Protocol for Public Speaking at Licensing Hearings

The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to note the Protocol for Public Speaking at Licensing Hearings. The protocol outlines the procedure for hearings related to the licensing of alcohol, regulated entertainment, late night refreshment, gambling, sex establishments, and hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators. It states that only people who have made an application, are subject to an application, or have submitted a written representation or objection to the Licensing Authority under the relevant Act are permitted to speak at the hearing.