The Urgent Driver/Operator/Vehicle Sub Committee met to review several private hire and Hackney carriage licenses. Councillor James O'Keefe was elected chair for the meeting. The committee resolved to revoke the licenses of private hire operator WO2, Hackney carriage and private hire driver WD219, private hire vehicle WV171, and Hackney carriage and private hire driver WD217.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the licensing reviews, citing that the discussions would likely involve the disclosure of information relating to individuals, which is exempt under the Local Government Act 1972¹.

Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD217

The committee resolved to revoke the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence of WD217 with immediate effect. The decision was made under Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976² to promote public safety. The committee determined that WD217 was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The committee noted that the licence was granted using delegated authority, considering previous convictions for grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, speeding offences, and comments from the HR Safeguarding Team. However, on 9 January 2026, the Licensing Service attended a Professional Allegations meeting with the Police, who raised concerns that WD217 had been investigated for child sex offences (though no charges were brought) and that the Police held records of WD217's behaviours of sexual interest in children, domestic abuse, violence, and aggressive/threats or fear of violence.

WD217 stated he was a HGV driver for 15 years and had a health issue with his heart which resulted in his HGV licence being revoked. He confirmed that he had been interviewed two years prior for alleged child sex offences, which did not result in further action, and he did not know why the Police held the meeting on 9 January 2026. He also confirmed that he had updated his address by informing the DVLA. WD217 wished to keep his licence as he enjoys his job and works mostly on school contracts.

The committee expressed high concern that the threshold of an investigation for child-sex offences had been met, resulting in WD217 being interviewed, and that the Police continued to hold those records. Members were also concerned that WD217 works on school contracts where he regularly comes into contact with children.

The committee stated that they must seek to protect the public and could not give the benefit of the doubt to the licence holder, especially as he works on school contracts. Members considered the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and concluded that they would not allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD217 at any time of the day or night.

Review of Private Hire Vehicle Licence - WV171

The committee resolved to revoke the Private Hire Vehicle Licence of WV171. The decision was made because the Sub-Committee did not consider WV171 to be a fit and proper person to hold such a Licence.

The committee noted that the licence holder had notified the council via email on 12 January 2026 that they had been arrested on 10 January 2026 following an accusation of rape from years ago and that they had been released on bail. WV171 confirmed that they had not used their vehicle since then.

WV171 could not elaborate in much detail on the substance of the allegation and investigation as they did not wish to prejudice the investigation or their own case but confirmed that the date of the alleged rape was from 2020 and stated that the arrest has had a detrimental effect on their mental health.

Members had serious concerns around the allegation and looked to the Council's policy which sets out guidelines for determining the suitability of licensees in relation to convictions, cautions, endorsements, etc. The guidelines stipulate that if a licensee has been arrested or charged, but not convicted, for a serious offence which suggests they could be a risk or a danger to the public, consideration will be given to revoking the licence. The policy and legislative framework puts the public safety as the principal consideration, which the Members noted.

Members followed that policy and considered that the allegation of a serious, indictable-only offence of rape which resulted in an arrest suggested the licence holder of WV171 might be a risk to the public. Members further noted that they could not take into account the licence holder's mental health when making their determination.

Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD219

The committee resolved to revoke WD219's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence with immediate effect. The decision was made under Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to promote public safety. The committee determined that WD219 was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The Sub-Committee noted that the driver had been granted his (Dual) Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle licence on 16 November 2022, which was due to expire on 15 November 2028.

Members noted that since that licence was granted the licence holder of WD219 had notified the Council via email on 12 January 2026 that he had been arrested on 10 January 2026 following an accusation of rape which had allegedly occurred years ago and that they had been released on bail. He confirmed that he has not used his vehicle since then.

WD219 could not elaborate in much detail on the substance of the allegation and investigation as he did not wish to prejudice the investigation or his own case but confirmed that the date of the alleged rape was from 2020 and stated that the arrest has had a detrimental effect on his mental health.

Members had serious concerns around the allegation and looked to the Council's policy which sets out guidelines for determining the suitability of licensees in relation to convictions, cautions, endorsements, etc. The guidelines stipulate that if a licensee has been arrested or charged, but not convicted, for a serious offence which suggests they could be a risk or a danger to the public, consideration will be given to revoking the licence. The policy and legislative framework puts the public safety as the principal consideration, which the Members noted.

Members followed that policy and considered that the allegation of a serious, indictable-only offence of rape which resulted in an arrest suggested the licence holder of WD219 might be a risk to the public.

Members had regard to the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and considered whether, based on the information before them, they would allow a person for whom they care, regardless of their condition, to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD219 at any time of the day or night. Taking all matters into account, Members concluded that they would not.

Review of Private Hire Operators Licence - WO2

The committee resolved to revoke WO2's Private Hire Operators Licence. The decision was made because the Sub-Committee did not consider WO2 to be a fit and proper person to hold such a Licence.

The Members noted that the Private Operators Licence was granted on 15 November 2022 and is due to expire on 14 November 2027.

Members noted that since that licence was granted the licence holder had notified the Council via email on 12 January 2026 that he had been arrested on 10 January 2026 following an accusation of rape which alleged occurred years ago and that they had been released on bail. He has since confirmed that he has not used his vehicle since then.

WO2 could not elaborate in much detail on the substance of the allegation and investigation as he did not wish to prejudice the investigation or his own case but could confirm that the date of the alleged rape was from 2020 and stated that the arrest has had a detrimental effect on his mental health.

Members had serious concerns around the allegation and looked to the Council's policy which sets out guidelines for determining the suitability of licensees in relation to convictions, cautions, endorsements, etc. The guidelines stipulate that if a licensee has been arrested or charged, but not convicted, for a serious offence which suggests they could be a risk or a danger to the public, consideration will be given to revoking the licence. The policy and legislative framework puts the public safety as the principal consideration, which the Members noted.

Members followed that policy and considered that the allegation of a serious, indictable-only offence of rape which resulted in an arrest suggested the licence holder of WO2 might be a risk to the public. Members further noted that they could not take into account the licence holder's mental health when making their determination.