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 consider:

·       an application for the grant of a Private Hire (School Transport) Driver’s Licence (Case at Appendix 1);

·       a report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Case at Appendix 2);

·       an application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Case at Appendix 3);

·       a report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Case at Appendix 4);

·       a report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Case at Appendix 5). 

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

• An application for the grant of a Private Hire (School Transport) Driver’s Licence. Applicant: AA. (Case at Appendix 1);
• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Driver: RA. (Case at Appendix 2);
• A report to consider an application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Driver: RA. (Case at Appendix 3);
• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Driver: MRA. (Case at Appendix 4);
• A report to consider the suspension/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Driver’s Licence. Driver: KB. (Case at Appendix 5).

Detailed reports setting out each case were attached at Appendices 1 to 5. Additional information relating to the case at Appendix 4 had been circulated to members of the Sub-Committee on 30 June and 1 July 2026, following publication of the agenda papers.

AA did not attend the meeting. No explanation for their absence was received by Licensing Officers.

RA attended the hearing, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions. RA was accompanied by their spouse. The Sub-Committee considered the matters set out at Appendices 2 and 3 concurrently, as both cases concerned the same underlying facts and circumstances.

MRA attended the hearing, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

KB did not attend the meeting. No explanation for their absence was received by Licensing Officers.

Nicola Butler, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the reports to the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Anthony Chawama, Licensing Enforcement Officer, also attended the hearing, addressed the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions. Riley Timney, Licensing Enforcement Officer, also attended the hearing.

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 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) Act 1976;
• The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022;
• The Equality Act 2010;
• 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 Vehicle 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 Informational circulated to the Sub-Committee by email in relation to the case at Appendix 4; and
• The Fit and Proper Person Test.

Resolved –

(1)           That consideration of the application for a Private Hire (School Transport) Driver's Licence in respect of AA be deferred to a future meeting of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee to provide AA with a further opportunity to attend the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.