Councillor Edwards declared a non-pecuniary interest in the case at Appendix 2 on the grounds that the appellant, AA, was a constituent and that she knew the appellant’s father who had stood against her at an election.

To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee held on 3 April 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 April 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 determine applications to consider the suspension/revocation of licences to drive Hackney Carriage Vehicles, an appeal against the allocation of penalty points to a Private Hire Vehicle driver’s licence and an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle driver’s licence.

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 – Applicant AN (Appendix 1);

·                An appeal against the allocation of penalty points to a Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence – Appellant AA (Appendix 2);

·                An application for the grant of a three-year Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence – Applicant JZ (Appendix 3); and

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence – Applicant WAK (Appendix 4).

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the above listed applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 4. Additional information had also been circulated to members of the Sub-Committee by email prior to the meeting.

AN was not present at the meeting. AN had contacted Licensing Officers prior to the meeting and had requested a deferral to allow him to attend the Sub-Committee.

AA was present at the meeting, accompanied by Kamran Saddiq, Reading Private Hire Association. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

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

WAK attended the Civic Offices at the required time but was not present at the meeting. The Sub-Committee considered a representation received from WAK’s representative, Adonis Daniel, Andrew Storch Solicitors, who had contacted Licensing Officers prior to the meeting to request a second deferral of WAK’s case to allow him to be able to represent WAK at the Sub-Committee.

Nicola Butler, 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 application for the consideration of the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence in respect of AN be deferred to the next meeting of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee to allow AN the opportunity to attend the hearing.

(2)           That the appeal against the allocation of penalty points to the Private Hire Vehicle driver’s licence in respect of AA be dismissed due to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.