The Licensing Sub Committee of Epping Forest Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 7 October 2025 to discuss the suitability of two Hackney Carriage drivers. The meeting will also cover procedural matters, including the potential exclusion of the public and press due to the confidential nature of the driver information.

Hackney Carriage Driver Suitability

The committee is scheduled to discuss the suitability of two existing Hackney Carriage drivers, named in the agenda as MJA and Y.O.. These discussions are listed as exempt from public access, referencing Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the public and press when dealing with exempt information. The specific grounds for exemption are paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended.

Exclusion of Public and Press

The committee is to consider whether the public and press should be excluded from the meeting during discussions regarding the Hackney Carriage drivers. This consideration is based on Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for exclusion when the agenda includes the likely disclosure of exempt information. The agenda states that:

The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information.

Regulatory Committee Terms of Reference

The November 2021 Constitution updates for Agenda document outlines the terms of reference for the Regulatory Committees, including the Licensing Committee. Key points include:

• The Licensing Committee consists of 15 councillors, including a chair and vice-chair.
• Sub-committees of no more than three councillors can be formed to handle specific functions.
• The committee and sub-committees have the authority to hear and determine licensing applications.
• The committee must operate within the policies determined by the council.
• The Licensing Committee does not participate in creating or revising licensing policy under Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003¹, but may determine policy under other listed legislation.

Conduct of Business

Appendix 4 of the November 2021 Constitution updates for Agenda details the procedures for the conduct of business by the Licensing Committee and its sub-committees. It states that hearings under the Licensing Act 2003 must follow the regulations made under that Act. The Council's Constitution governs the conduct of meetings, and the committee can only consider matters relevant to the licensing objectives and the council's licensing policy. The document also lays out rules regarding declarations of interest, participation in hearings, attendance of the public, and natural justice.