Councillor Leng declared a non-pecuniary interest in the case at Item 7, Appendix 1 on the grounds that the licence holder, MH, was a constituent and was also known to him through his ward work.

To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 8 May 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2025 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.

To consider reports for the suspension/revocation of Hackney Carriage, Private Hire and Private Hire (School Transport) Vehicle Driver’s Licences and a report for the renewal of a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

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

• A report to consider the suspension/renewal of a three-year Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: MH (Appendix 1)
• A report to consider the suspension/renewal of a School Transport Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: ZM (Appendix 2)
• A report to consider the suspension/renewal of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Licence Holder: MA (Appendix 3)
• An application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's Licence. Licence Holder: FH (Prestige Cars and Chauffeurs of Wokingham Ltd) (Appendix 4).

Summaries detailing the circumstances relating to each case were attached to the report at Appendices 1 to 4.

MH, MA and FH attended the meeting for their respective cases, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

ZM was not present at the meeting and had emailed Licensing officers to advise that she would not be attending the Sub-Committee. A copy of the email correspondence between ZM and Licensing officers in which ZM stated that she had no interest in working as a school transport driver was provided to members of the Sub-Committee as Additional Information. The Sub-Committee considered that it would be appropriate to determine the case in ZM’s absence.

Clyde Masson and Mike Harding, RBC Licensing Team, presented the reports to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions.

In reaching its decisions the Sub-Committee endeavoured throughout to strike a fair balance between the interests of the licence holders and the concerns of the Licensing Officers, but its overriding consideration was to the safeguarding of the public.

In coming to its decisions, 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:

• 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 Convictions Policy;
• Reading Borough Council’s Hackney Carriage driver and vehicle conditions;
• Reading Borough Council’s private hire driver, vehicle and operator conditions;
• Reading Borough Council’s private hire (school transport) driver, vehicle and operator conditions;
• All of the documents provided for the meeting, including the additional information circulated via email, and;
• The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That MH be ordered to complete an enhanced driving assessment before 30 September 2025 and that if by that date MH had not supplied proof of that course completion to Licensing Enforcement Officers, the matter would be returned to the Sub-Committee for it to reconsider the suspension or revocation of MH’s Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence;

(2)           That, in respect of the decision set out at (1) above, the following reasons be noted:

(a)           Paragraph 53 of Reading Borough Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Convictions Policy which stated:

“…Where there is a second occurrence of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.