Report of the Director of Economic Growth
Minutes:
Ref 05/20 - The Director of Economic Growth submitted a report (previously circulated) to give consideration to a review of a private hire driver licence in light of information received from Durham Constabulary.
The driver was unable to attend the meeting to respond to Members questions in relation to the above, and to why they felt that they were a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence as he was currently being remanded in custody awaiting trial.
In reaching their decision, Members took into consideration the Council’s Licensing Policy, which sets out the Council’s stance on the Relevance of Convictions, Cautions and Endorseable Fixed Penalties in assessing whether an applicant is a fit and proper person; the Council’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy and Procedures; Section 61(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; and Section 52 of the Road Safety Act 2006.
After careful consideration Members decided that although the driver had not been convicted for the offences for which they had been charged, the Members’ were mindful of the serious nature of the allegations and determined that this was a reasonable cause to revoke their licence. If the driver was to be acquitted of the offences in future they will be able to reapply for a licence and the application would be expedited.
RESOLVED – That the licence be revoked with immediate effect in the interests of public safety in accordance with the provisions of Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.