To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meetings held on 30 May 2024 and 4 June 2024.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 30 May and 4 June 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

A report asking the Sub-Committee to consider the suspension/revocation of Hackney Carriage Vehicle drivers’ licences.

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

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence – Licence Holder WAK (Appendix 1);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence – Licence Holder AK (Appendix 2);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence – Licence Holder AN (Appendix 3);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence – Licence Holder MI (Appendix 4); and

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence – Licence Holder MA (Appendix 5).

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the above listed applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 5.

WAK attended the meeting accompanied by Adonis Daniel, his legal representative. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

AK attended the meeting accompanied by Adonis Daniel, his legal representative. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

AN and his father were present at the meeting. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

MI was present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

MA was present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Anthony Chawama, RBC Licensing Team, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Ben Williams and Mike Harding, RBC Licensing Team also attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

In reaching its decisions the Sub-Committee endeavoured to strike a fair balance between the interests of the applicants and the concerns of officers, and gave due consideration to the written material contained in the paperwork, the oral evidence provided at the meeting by Licensing Officer(s), the witness and by the Applicants, their representatives, and to relevant legislation, guidance and the policies of Reading Borough Council, and in particular:

·                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 Equality Act 2010;

·                The Secretary of State’s Guidance;

·                Reading Borough Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle conditions and penalty points enforcement systems;

·                Reading Borough Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Convictions Policy;

·                All of the documents provided for the meeting; and

·                The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence in respect of WAK be suspended for a period of one weekwith effect from 21 days of formal notice being served under section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to allow WAK time to review the conditions of his licence and review his position in relation to any future actions as a professional driver.

The Sub-Committee informed WAK of their right to appeal against the decision to Reading Magistrates’ Court, Civic Centre, Castle Road, Reading, RG1 7TQ, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which they were notified by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.