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 setting out an application for the grant of Private Hire Driver’s Licence, an application to consider the suspension/revocationof a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence, an application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire (School Transport) Vehicle Driver’s Licence, applications to consider the suspension/revocation of Private Hire Vehicle Drivers’ Licences, and an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’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 AR (Appendix 1); 

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Licence Holder AK (Appendix 2);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire (School Transport) Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Licence Holder RB (Appendix 3);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Licence Holder RB (Appendix 4);

·                An application to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence – Licence Holder MA (Appendix 5);

·                An application for the grant of a Private Hire Operator’s Licence – Applicant MA (Appendix 6); 

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each of the above listed applications were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 6.

AR was present at the meeting, accompanied by his brother. They both addressed the Sub-Committee.

AK attended the meeting accompanied by his wife and by his legal representative Adonis Daniel of Andrew Storch Solicitors. They all addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

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

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

Anthony Chawama, RBC Licensing Team, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Ben Williams and Clyde Masson, 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 AR for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be deferred to the meeting provisionally scheduled on 26 September 2024 to allow the Sub-Committee to obtain further legal advice in relation to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

(2)           That the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence in respect of AK be revoked, with effect from the end of 21 days’ notice being given to the driver, due to AK not being considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence due to:

(a)           the nature of the offence,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.