Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Lauren Gregory  Email: lauren.gregory@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr N Pearce, with Cllr H Blathwayt (Chairman for the meeting) present as a substitute.

2.

ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS

To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

None.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 721 KB

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda.  The Code of Conduct for Members requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Minutes:

None.

4.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

To pass the following resolution:

 

“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.

5.

(WK/220004481) - Application for a Licence to Drive Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles in North Norfolk

(WK/220004481) – Application for a Licence to Drive Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles in North Norfolk

 

 

Summary:

This report relates to an application for a taxi drivers licence where a Disclosure and Barring Service Report has been received which merits further consideration.

Conclusions:

Members may wish to go into Private session to hear fully from the applicant and consider this matter in confidence. 

Recommendations:

That Members consider and determine this application.

 

 

Chairman of the Licensing Committee

Councillor P Bütikofer

All

Contact Officer, telephone number, and e?mail:

 

James Windsor

01263 516289

James.windsor@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Present: Licence Applicant

 

The Chairman, Members of the Panel and Officers introduced themselves.

 

The LA outlined the purpose of the hearing and explained the procedure for the meeting.

 

The SPO presented their report which related to an application for a ‘Licence to Drive Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles in North Norfolk’. A Disclosure Barring Service report had subsequently been received in respect of the applicant, which contained details about the applicant which merited further consideration.

 

The Applicant put his case to the Sub-Committee and explained the circumstances concerning his convictions. He explained that he was in a toxic relationship with an ex-partner which had steadily deteriorated. The Applicant explained that on the day of the incident he was attempting to enter his own property whilst in a heightened state of emotion and as a result damaged the door handle whilst the property was occupied by his ex-partner. He stated that he did not enter the property nor did he use violence towards anyone. The Applicant admitted full responsibility for his actions and affirmed that his behaviour that day does not reflect his character today.

 

In response to questions from Cllr N Lloyd. The Applicant further confirmed had subsequently had no contact with his ex-partner since his conviction, and was now in a stable relationship with someone else. The Applicant advised that he had no intention in engaging in any future dialogue with his ex-partner.

 

Cllr N Lloyd advised that one of the Sub-Committees primary considerations when determining whether an Applicant was suitable to hold a license to drive a hackney carriage was the safety of the public and of residents. Cllr N Lloyd asked the Applicant if they considered themselves to be an angry person.

 

The Applicant stressed that he was not an angry person, and he had a very sound temperament as demonstrated through his care of his stepson who has special education needs. He reflected that he had not been in any further trouble in any form since his conviction, which was indicative of his character.

 

The Chairman asked the Applicant about his current occupation and interest in becoming a taxi driver. The Applicant advised that he had been self-employed for many years as a tradesperson, but was seeking to move forward to a new profession.

 

Cllr E Spagnola noted the Applicants home situation, and reflected on the challenges which come with living with a child with special educational needs.

 

The LA reiterated their guidance to the panel and to the Applicant.

 

The Sub-Committee retired at 11.50am and returned at 12.27am.

 

The Chairman recited the decision notice and advised, in determining the application the Sub-Committee had considered the Licensing Officers Report, as well as the written and Oral evidence put before it at the hearing. The Sub-Committee placed weight on the Applicants clean record since conviction, and his remorseful stance towards his past offences and overall conduct.

 

The Sub-Committee determined the Applicant to be a fit and proper person to hold a taxi License.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.