Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members asked to consider and note the Delegated Decisions Update report which provided details of the decisions officers had made utilising delegated powers given to officers by the Licensing Committee.

The main topics discussed were as follows:

Since the last update several delegated decisions have been made and include:

•           3 Revocations for failing to provide policy required documents

•           4 Revocations / refusals for failure to meet DVLA group 2 medical standards

•           9 Revocations following police disclosure

•           3 Refusal to depart from policy on vehicle specifications

•           1 Revocation following a positive oral fluid drug sample

It was highlighted that the Licensing Service had carried out fluid drug screening on licensed private hire and hackney carriage drivers. During this reporting period 43 screening tests had been carried out and of those tested one screen returned a positive lab result, which contained THC (cannabis). The driver who tested positive had his renewal application refused via the delegated decision process.  

A brief discussion was had regarding drivers requests to reduce the number of taxi plates on vehicles; however a decision was made to not depart from current policy , therefore drivers would continue to display 4 plates on their vehicles whilst licensed with this authority .

AGREED that the report be noted.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members were asked to consider and determine the continued fitness of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 who had provided a DVLA check code with his licence renewal application, showing 10 live points. In addition, a complaint had been received regarding combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106’s manner of driving following a road traffic collision.

Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 attended the meeting with his representative David Wilson and were given the opportunity to make representation.

A witness also 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 combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106’s renewal application including the DVLA check code

- A copy of a statement from the complainant stating combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 was not paying attention on the road whilst driving his taxi as he was looking at his phone / device.

- A copy of a screen shot showing the location of the collision combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 was involved in. 

- A copy of an interview transcript between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 and licensing officers.

- Details of combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106’s history which detailed the following

• A poor driving record

• DVLA penalty points

• Non-notification to the licensing service of DVLA penalty points as per licence conditions

• Disqualification from driving due to totting up process

• Appealing disqualification from driving

• Alleging not receiving correspondence from court

• Alleging being out of the country on court dates

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

The Committee understood that the matter before them was to determine an application to renew a combined hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver licence that expired on 31st March 2025, as detailed in the Committee report and appendices.

The Committee heard that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 had been a licensed driver since 2016 and was also previously licensed with this authority from before 2004 until 2014.

The Committee noted that when combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 001106 submitted his renewal application on 4th March 2025, his DVLA check code presented ten live DVLA penalty points. The Committee heard that six of these points related to an MS90 offence; failure to give information as to the identity of the driver; offence date 11th June 2024 and conviction date 27th November 2024.

The Committee were told that the four further penalty points related to a SP30 offence: exceeding the statutory speed limit of thirty miles per hour on a public road, offence date 19th October 2023, conviction date 19th June 2024.

The Committee heard that on 4th March 2025, a complaint was received  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/5/25