To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committees held on 23 November 2023 and 28 November 2023.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 23 and 28 November 2023 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 to consider applications for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence and a Private Hire Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

The Sub-Committee considered a report that set out an application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Appendix 1) and an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Appendix 2). Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 and 2. Both applications had been submitted by the same applicant and so were presented to and considered by the Sub-Committee at the same time.

The Applicant, WR, was present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Mark Groves, RBC Licensing Officer, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions.

In reaching its decisions the Sub-Committee endeavoured to strike a fair balance between the interests of the applicant 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 the Licensing Officer and by the Applicant, and to relevant legislation, guidance and the policies of Reading Borough Council, and in particular:

·                The Town Police Clauses Act 1847; and

·                The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) Act 1976; and

·                The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022; and

·                The Equality Act 2010; and

·                The Secretary of State’s Guidance; and

·                The Powers of the Authority in determining an application for the grant of both types of licence; and,

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

·                Reading Borough Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Convictions Policy, in particular, paragraphs 6 and 47; and

·                All of the documents provided for the meeting, including the valid period relating to each conviction; and

·                The Fit and Proper Person Test.

The Sub-Committee considered the Applicant’s driving convictions and the previous warnings given. The circumstances of the driving convictions were carefully considered as were the valid periods relating to them. It was noted that as of June 2025 there would be no points on the Applicant’s DVLA licence. The Sub-Committee noted there was no pattern or habit of speeding.

Resolved – 

(1)           That, in respect of the application by WR for the grant of a three-year Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence, the Sub-Committee found that the Applicant was a fit and proper person but was concerned by the evidence of speeding and so did not consider that a three-year licence could be granted in the circumstances and therefore resolved to grant the licence for a period of 12-months but with the expectation that, if there were no concerns raised by Licensing Officers and that there were no further convictions of any kind, the licence would be renewed, under delegated powers, for another two years.

(2)           That, in respect of the application by WR for the grant of a three-year Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, the Sub-Committee found that the Applicant was a fit and proper person but was concerned by the evidence of speeding and so did not consider that a three-year licence could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.