Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine the fitness of applicant - 158785 who had provided a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which contained relevant convictions.

Applicant - 158785 attended the meeting and was given the opportunity to make representation.

 Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting. 

 The report detailed the following:

- A copy of applicant – 158785’s application form, including DVLA check code.

- A copy of a summary transcript of an interview with applicant – 158785 and officers.

- Copies of various test fail letters to applicant – 158785

- A copy of applicant – 158785’s private hire knowledge certificate.

The Chair introduced everyone present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

The Committee Members were presented with the officers’ report and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officers and applicant – 158785.

The Committee reviewed all the information provided and considered the submissions made by both applicant - 158785 and the officer.

The main topics discussed were as follows:

- Discussion was had around the circumstances of applicant – 158785’s two convictions, one of which was assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the second being  destroying / damaging property. Applicant – 158785 explained to the Committee that he had been trapped by 2 people that he knew, one of which was his ex-partners father and that he had acted in self-defence. Applicant – 158785 explained that the issues were of a personal nature.

- Applicant – 158785 did feel the convictions were not his fault and were out of his control however had pleaded guilty following advice from his solicitor, to save time and stress.

- Applicant – 158785 informed the Committee that he was currently employed as a civil engineer and quantity surveyor and had the opportunity at times to work remotely from home.

The Committee had considered all the information before them today and listened to what applicant - 158785 and the Licensing Officer had presented to them.

The Committee determined that applicant – 158785’s application should be refused. This was due to applicant -158785 being outside of the Council’s Policy, in that he had two convictions from September 2020, for the offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and destroying or damaging property, which were listed as offences of a violent nature under the Councils licensing policy. 

Ultimately, the Committee did not believe that applicant – 158785 was a fit and proper person, and therefore his application was refused.

RESOLVED that applicant – 158785’s application for a private hire drivers’ licence be refused for the reasons as detailed above.