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 ofthe pressand publicbe excluded duringconsideration ofthe followingitems onthe agenda, asit islikely thatthere wouldbe disclosureof exempt informationas definedin therelevant paragraphsof 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 setting out applications for the grant of Private Hire and School Transport Vehicle Driver’s Licences and requesting consideration of the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

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

·                An application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Applicant MK (Appendix 1);

·                An application for grant of a School Transport Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Applicant MY (Appendix 2);

·                A report requesting consideration of the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence: Licence Holder MAK (Appendix 3).

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the above listed applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 3.

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

MY attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

MAK requested that consideration of the suspension/revocation of the Hackney Carriage driver’s Licence be deferred to allow their legal representative, Adonis Daniel, Andrew Storch Solicitors to attend the meeting.

Nicola Butler, RBC Licensing Team, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. 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 Officers, the applicants/appellants, 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, in particular Section 61 relating to the suspension and revocation of drivers’ licences;

·                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 Convictions Policy;

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

·                All of the documents provided for the meeting and;

·                The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That the application by MK for the grant of a three-year Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused due to MK not being considered a fit and proper person by reason of:

(a)      the nature of the offence, as detailed in the report;

(b)      insufficient time having elapsed since the conviction for the offence, as detailed in the report.

MK was advised of their right of appeal.

(2)           That the application by MY for the grant of a three-year School Transport Vehicle Driver’s Licence be refused due to MY not being considered a fit and proper person by reason of:

(a)      the nature of the offence, as detailed in the report;

(b)      insufficient time having elapsed since the conviction for the offence, as detailed in the report;

(c)      failure to disclose the conviction on the application form.

MY was advised of their right of appeal.

(3)      That the consideration of the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be deferred to the meeting provisionally scheduled on 12 December 2024 to allow both MAK and their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.