To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meetings held on 28 October 2025 and 27 November 2025.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 28 October 2025 and 27 November 2025 were confirmed as correct records 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.

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

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

• An application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Applicant: AM. (Appendix 1);
• An application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: SH. (Appendix 2);
• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: CM. (Appendix 3);
• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: AJ. (Appendix 4); and
• An application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: AJ. (Appendix 5).

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

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

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

CM attended the hearing and was represented by Adonis Daniel. Both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions. CM’s wife also attended the hearing.

AJ attended the hearing and was accompanied by their daughter KJ. Both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Nicola Butler, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the reports to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Mike Harding and Ben Williams, Licensing Enforcement Officers, also attended the hearings and asked and responded to questions.

In relation to the cases set out in Appendices 4 and 5, copies of Additional Information that had been provided by AJ to Licensing Officers had been circulated to members of the Sub-Committee by email ahead of the meeting.

In relation to the cases set out in Appendices 4 and 5, the parties present for the hearing agreed to hear the cases together as the decisions required related to the same matter.

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. 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 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 (November 2023);
• Reading Borough Council’s Hackney Carriage driver and vehicle conditions;
• Reading Borough Council’s Private Hire driver, vehicle and operator conditions;
• The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence in respect of AM (case at Appendix 1) be granted as sought, subject to the issue of a written warning regarding AM’s future conduct and the need for honest dealings with the public and with Licensing.

REASONS:

(a)           In coming to its decision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.