THE DECISION:

That Councillor Hardisty be elected Chairman for duration of the meeting.

(Councillor Hardisty in the Chair)

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 4 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item of business at minute no LAHP.9 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Panel was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Director of Environmental and Planning Services

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Environmental and Planning Services asked the Panel to consider whether to grant or refuse an application for a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle driver licence.

Alternative options considered:

The Panel considered whether any action needed to be taken and, if so, whether to grant or refuse the application for the hackney carriage/private hire driver licence.

The reason for the decision:

The Panel considered the relevant representations of the parties, both written and oral, including the Council’s Vehicle and Driver Licensing Policy and the relevant legislation.

THE DECISION:

Taking account of the above and having given appropriate weight to the evidence the Panel reached the following conclusions:-

The Panel was not satisfied the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence.  The Panel found, on the balance of probabilities, the risk to public safety was deemed to be sufficient to refuse the application.