Decisions

The Group Director of Operations submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that further consideration be given to the work programme of this Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

It was reported that a number of Councillors had expressed an interest in participating in the Strengthening Families Programme Task and Finish review Group which was to be established.

RESOLVED - That the repot be noted and the following Members be appointed to serve on the Strengthening Families Task and Finish Review Group :-

Councillors Boddy, Crudass, Harker, McEwan and Renton.

Ref No. 3/21

The Group Director of Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to give consideration to a review of a private hire driver and to confirm the suspension of the licence of a private hire driver carried out by the Licensing Department in light of medical information received and subsequent revocation of the drivers’ DVLA licence.

The driver attended the meeting and responded to Members questions in relation to the above.

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 to confirm the suspension as the driver could not drive any vehicle as a result of the DVLA driving licence being revoked and they did not meet the Group 2 medical standard (as defined in the DVLA Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive).

RESOLVED – That the suspension of the private hire driver licence be confirmed pending further information being provided in relation to the driver’s DVLA driving licence and medical condition.

The Assistant Director, Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District submitted a report (previously circulated) to give consideration to the renewal of a licence for Rockliffe Hall Hotel 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 Civil Partnership Act (2004); the Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 and 2021; and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act (2013).

The submitted report gave a summary of Rockliffe Hall Hotel as an approved venue; the designated rooms and maximum capacity for each room; and a copy of the application submitted.

RESOLVED – (a) That Rockliffe Hall Hotel be approved as an approved premises granted for a further three years from 24 November 2021.

(b) That the places designated where civil marriages and civil partnerships can take place indoors of the premises and the maximum number of persons who can attend those marriages and civil partnerships continue to be :

In the Old Hall:

The Morning Room – 65

The Drawing Room – 60

The Cocktail Lounge – 60

The Orangery – 150

The Boardroom – 20

The Campernella – 55

The Old Hall – 40

The Old Hall Foyer – 80

In the New Hall:

The Rockliffe Suite – 170

The Rockliffe Lounge – 100

The Bowes Suite – 30

The Cotherstone Suite – 10

In the Clubhouse :

The Grassholme  - 180

The Stanwick – 20

External Buildings :

The Glasshouse – 120

The Rosebud Curious Cabin – 6 (unlimited guests outside of cabin)