The Miscellaneous Licensing Committee considered several applications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's licences, ultimately granting three and refusing four. The committee also reviewed two existing Hackney Carriage licences following complaints, deciding to take no further action in either case.

Licensing decisions

The committee reviewed several applications related to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's licences, each assessed against the council's guidelines and the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, considering whether members would allow a person they care for to travel alone with the applicant.

Applications granted:

• E1D214: The committee approved the application for a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, departing from the guidelines due to mitigating information provided by the applicant and a recommendation from HR Safeguarding, despite a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 2017.
• WD211: The committee approved the application for a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, departing from the guidelines due to mitigating information provided by the applicant, a recommendation from HR Safeguarding, and details of previous taxi licensing in North Somerset, despite a previous conviction.

• E1D215: The committee approved the application for a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, subject to the applicant providing written confirmation from the DVLA[^2] that they have been notified of the medication she is currently taking.

  [^2]: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is the government organisation responsible for maintaining a database of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. Applications refused:

• WD210: The committee refused the application for renewal of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, citing concerns over the applicant's driving record, which included 9 points on their licence from three separate speeding offences, and their failure to notify the council of these endorsements, a breach of their licence conditions. The committee noted:

  Members heard from WD210 that he had not read all the Conditions of his licence and this also concerned Members.

• E1D213: The committee refused the application for a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, referencing HR Safeguarding concerns and the applicant's history of driving offences, including convictions for driving with excess alcohol in 2018 and for driving with excess alcohol and driving whilst disqualified in 2019.

• W1D166: The committee refused the application for a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, noting the applicant's non-attendance and referring to details regarding a conviction and caution for offences involving violence, as well as endorsements on their driving licence for speeding.

Existing licences - no action taken:

• E1D194: Following a review of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence, the committee decided to take no action, citing insufficient evidence regarding complaints about the driver's conduct.
• EV17: Following a review of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence, the committee decided to take no action, citing insufficient evidence regarding complaints about the conduct of the licence holder.

Exclusion of press and public

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the licensing applications, citing the likelihood of disclosing exempt information relating to individuals, as per the Local Government Act 1972¹.

Approval of minutes

The committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2025, after correcting the start time of the meeting from 10:00 am to 10:30 am.