To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meetings held on 1 February 2024, 15 February 2024, 29 February 2024 and 5 March 2024.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 1 February 2024, 15 February 2024, 29 February 2024 and 5 March 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 an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence and applications to consider the suspension/revocation of licences to drive Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles.

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 CTMN (Appendix 1);

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

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

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

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the above listed applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 4.

CTMN was present at the meeting with his representative Adonis Daniel, Andrew Storch Solicitors. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

WAK was not present at the meeting. WAK had contacted Licensing Officers prior to the meeting and had requested a deferral to allow him to attend the meeting. Licensing Officers confirmed that they had been provided with adequate proof that WAK would not be in the country at the time of the hearing.

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

MKS was present at the meeting with his representative Manzoor Hussain, Reading Private Hire Association. They both addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Mark Groves, RBC Licensing Team, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Anthony Chawama, RBC Licensing Team also attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee in relation to the case at Appendix 1.

A witness was present for the case at Appendix 1. The witness addressed the Sub-Committee and answered questions in relation to the incident that took place on 19 October 2023, the details of which were included in Appendix 1.

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 CTMN be required to undertake a remedial driving course in accordance with the requirements set out below:

(a)           the remedial driving course must be started within the next 28 days and must be completed within 3 months.

(b)           the course must include as a minimum the requirements set out under paragraphs 5.9 and 5.10  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.