Decisions

RESOLVED - That Councillor Kane be elected Chair for the purpose of this meeting.

The Director Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to give consideration to an application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence in light of previous convictions; and a review of a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence in light of non-compliance with statutory requirements.

Ref 1/19 – To consider the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence in light of previous convictions and a previous refusal of licence by this General Licensing Sub Committee on 1 March 2016.

The driver attended the meeting and responded to Members 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.

Members also heard from Durham Constabulary about a speeding offence the driver had committed in July 2018.

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; and Section 51(1)(a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1975.

After careful consideration Members decided to grant the Licence, although Members did express their concern about the driver’s past behaviour but noted that the driver had appeared to have turned their life around.

RESOLVED – That the application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be approved.

Ref 2/19 – To consider a review of a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence in light of using a vehicle to ply for hire without a licence being issued from this authority.

The driver attended the meeting and responded to Members 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.

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; and Section 62(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1975.

After careful consideration Members decided to permit the driver to retain their licence, however they were unimpressed by the conduct of the driver and urged them to be more organised in the future.

RESOLVED – That the Licence be retained and the driver be issued with a final warning letter in respect of future conduct and warned that if any further convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands are received they would be referred immediately to the General Licensing Sub-Committee and it was unlikely that they would be permitted to retain their Licence.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Nutt be elected Chair the purpose of this meeting.

The Assistant Director of Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District submitted a report (previously circulated) to consider an application received from Redworth Hall Hotel for the renewal of a licence to be approved as a venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Act 1949 (as amended by the Marriage Act 1994); the Civic Partnership Act (2004); the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005; and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

The submitted report gave a summary of Redworth Hall Hotel as an approved venue; the designated rooms and the maximum capacity; and a copy of the application was appended to the submitted report.

RESOLVED – That approval be granted for the renewal of Redworth Hall Hotel, Darlington as an approved venue for the solemnisation of Marriages and Civil Partnerships in respect of the venue subject to the standard licence conditions and that the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy ceremony rooms of Civil Marriages or Civil Partnerships be as detailed in the submitted report.

The Assistant Director of Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District submitted a report (previously circulated) to consider an application received from Darlington Borough Council for the renewal of a licence for the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum, North Road, to be approved as a venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Act 1949 (as amended by the Marriage Act 1994); the Civic Partnership Act (2004); the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005; and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

The submitted report gave a summary of the Head of Steam as an approved venue; the designated rooms and the maximum capacity; and a copy of the application was appended to the submitted report.

RESOLVED – That approval be granted for the renewal of The Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Musuem, North Road Darlington as an approved venue for the solemnisation of Marriages and Civil Partnerships in respect of the venue subject to the standard licence conditions and that the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy ceremony rooms of Civil Marriages or Civil Partnerships should be as outlined in accordance with Building Control recommendations.

The Assistant Director of Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District submitted a report (previously circulated) to consider an application received from Darlington Borough Council for The Hippodrome Theatre, Parkgate, Darlington, to be approved as a venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Act 1949 (as amended by the Marriage Act 1994); the Civic Partnership Act (2004); the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005; and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

The submitted report gave a summary of The Hippodrome Theatre and the reasons why the Council requested approval of the Theatre as an approved venue; detailed the designated rooms and the maximum capacity; and a copy of the application was appended to the submitted report.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted for The Hippodrome Theatre, Parkgate, Darlington as an approved venue for the solemnisation of Marriages and Civil Partnerships in respect of the venue subject to the standard licence conditions and that the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy ceremony rooms of Civil Marriages or Civil Partnerships should be as outlined in accordance with the Fire Officer’s recommendations.

The Assistant Director, Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District submitted a report (previously circulated) to consider an application received from Darlington Borough Council for the renewal of a licence for the Council Chamber, Town Hall to be approved as a venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Act 1949 (as amended by the Marriage Act 1994); the Civic Partnership Act (2004); the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005; and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

The submitted report gave a summary of the Council Chamber as an approved venue; the designated rooms and maximum capacity; and a copy of the application was appended to the submitted report.

RESOLVED – That approval be granted for the renewal of the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Darlington as an approved venue for the solemnisation of Marriages and Civil Partnerships in respect of the venue subject to the standard licence conditions and that the maximum number of persons permitted to occupy ceremony rooms of Civil Marriages or Civil Partnerships be as outlined in the submitted report.

Submitted – The Minutes (previously circulated) of the meeting of the General Licensing Sub Committee held on 13 November 2018.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes be approved as a correct record.

Submitted – The Minutes (previously circulated) of the meeting of the General Licensing Committee held on 13 November 2018.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes be approved as a correct record.