Councillor Rowland declared a non-pecuniary interest in the case at Appendix 1. Councillor Rowland informed the Sub-Committee that ES was her constituent and that whilst canvassing she had recently spoken with him over the phone. Early during the phone conversation Cllr Rowland had discovered that ES was due to attend the Sub-Committee on 23 September 2025. Councillor Rowland had informed ES that she would be unable to discuss his application, as she was sitting on the Sub-Committee, and had not taken the conversation any further.

To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 31 July, 5 August and 13 August 2025.

The Minutes of the meetings held 31 July 2025, 5 August 2025 and 13 August 2025 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

Further to Minute 21, the Sub-Committee noted that, following legal advice on the circumstances of the case, the review of the Personal License had been discontinued by the Licensing Team.

At this point, the following motion will be moved by the Chair:

“That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items on the agenda, as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved –

That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely that there would be disclosures of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 5 specified in Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

To consider reports on applications for the grant of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licences and reports for the consideration of the suspension/revocation of Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licences.

The Sub-Committee considered a report that set out the following cases:

·       An application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Applicant: ES (Appendix 1).

·       A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: AJ (Appendix 2).

·       A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: HK (Appendix 3).

·       An application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Applicant: HK (Appendix 4).

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each case were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 4. In the case of AJ (Appendix 2) the Sub-Committee were provided video footage relating to the incident described in the case summary. In the case of HK (cases at Appendicies 3 and 4) additional information, that included a statement from HK’s representative, had been circulated to the Sub-Committee via email.

ES attended the hearing with his representatives AS and OG. All three addressed the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions.

AJ attended the hearing, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

HK attended the hearing, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Nicola Butler, RBC Licensing Team, presented the reports to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Ben Williams, RBC Licensing Team also attended the meeting and asked and responded to questions.

In reaching its decisions the Sub-Committee endeavoured throughout to strike a fair balance between the interests of the applicants and licence holders and the concerns of the Licensing Officers, but its overriding consideration was to the safeguarding of the public.

In coming to its decisions, the Sub-Committee also gave due consideration to the written material contained in the paperwork, the oral evidence provided at the meeting, and to relevant legislation, guidance and the policies of Reading Borough Council, including but not limited to:

• The Town Police Clauses Act 1847;
• The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) Act 1976;
• The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022;
• The Secretary of State’s Guidance;
• The Equality Act 2010;
• Reading Borough Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Convictions Policy;
• Reading Borough Council’s Hackney Carriage driver and vehicle conditions;
• Reading Borough Council’s private hire driver, vehicle and operator conditions;
• All of the documents provided for the meeting, including the video footage in relation to the case at Appendix 2 (viewed by the Sub-Committee during the hearing); and
• The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That the application by ES for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused due to ES not being considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence for the following reasons:

(a)           ES’s previous Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence had been revoked with immediate effect by the Sub-Committee on 10 August 2023 to safeguard the public.

(b)           The Sub-Committee was disappointed to note that ES had continued to dispute the factual basis of a number of the matters which had led to the revocation in 2023, especially  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.