The Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Sub Committee (Licensing Sub Committee) convened to discuss taxi licensing matters in Cambridge. Councillor Hugh Clough, Spokesperson Finance & Resources, Culture, Economy & Skills, Councillor Rosy Moore, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment, and Councillor Richard Swift, Deputy Mayor of Cambridge, were scheduled to be in attendance. The main item on the agenda was to consider the standing of Driver A as a licensed driver with Cambridge City Council.

Driver A's Licence

The sub-committee was scheduled to review the standing of Driver A's licence. According to the agenda, the Officer (a manager or member of the Licensing Team) will refer a matter to the Sub-Committee where they:

considers that the Taxi Regulatory Sub-Committee should decide whether an applicant for a licence is a fit and proper person to hold the licence for which she/he has applied

The report pack includes the Licensing Sub-Committee: Taxi Applications Hearings Procedure , which outlines the process for these hearings. This includes details on the preparation of reports, the attendance of witnesses, and the rights of the driver, including the right to representation.

The sub-committee was to consider whether to exclude the press and public from the meeting by virtue of paragraphs 1 & 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972¹.

The report pack also details the powers of the City Council to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a vehicle or driver's licence, as outlined in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976². Grounds for such actions include:

• The vehicle being unfit.
• Offences or non-compliance with relevant legislation.
• Convictions for offences involving dishonesty, indecency, or violence.
• Immigration offences or penalties.
• Any other reasonable cause.

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider the 'Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Enforcement System', specifically regarding 'Level 3 Enforcement'. Level 3 enforcement includes consideration of factors such as: previous warnings, convictions of a sexual nature, drug-related offences, offences involving dishonesty or violence, and repeat offences of drunkenness.