To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 August 2026

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2026 was 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 requesting the Sub-Committee to consider:

·       a report regarding suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver's Licence (Case at Appendix 1);

·       an application for a Private Hire Driver's Licence (Case at Appendix 2);

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

• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Driver AR (Case at Appendix 1).
• A report to consider an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Applicant HL (Case at Appendix 2).

Detailed reports setting out both cases were attached at Appendices 1 and 2.

Additional Information provided by the Applicant in relation to the case at Appendix 2 had been circulated to the Sub-Committee by email after the publication of the agenda. 

In the case of AR (Appendix 1), a witness to the incident referred to in the report attended part of hearing with their mother. The witness provided evidence to the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

AR attended the meeting accompanied by his friend, WH, who assisted with translation and his legal representative, Michael Phillips, each addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions. At the hearing Michael Philips read out a written witness statement made by AR and summarised the content of four character witness statements made in support of AR.

HL attended the meeting accompanied by his legal representative, Adonis Daniel, 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. Ben Williams and Mike Harding, Licensing Enforcement Officers, also attended the hearings, addressed 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 applicant 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 (RBC), this included but was 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 relevant Secretary of State’s Guidance;
• RBC’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (February 2026), including the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Criminal Convictions Policy;
• The relevant RBC driver, vehicle and operator conditions and penalty points schemes;
• All of the documents provided for the meeting, including the Additional Information circulated to the Sub-Committee by email in relation to the case at Appendix 2; and
• The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That the Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence held by AR be suspended for a period of 14 days, with the suspension to take effect upon the expiry of the statutory 21-day appeal period following receipt of the written decision. The Sub-Committee determined that there was reasonable cause to suspend the licence pursuant to section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, having regard to the nature of the offence referred to in the report. In reaching  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.