Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Linda Yarham 

Items
No. Item

1.

TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs E Spagnola attended the meeting in place of Councillor Mrs G Perry-Warnes.

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

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 I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.

 

5.

(WK/190017036) - 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:

 

Lara Clare

lara.clare@north-norfolk.gov.uk

01263 516252

 

 

Minutes:

Present: Applicant

 

The Chairman introduced the Panel Members and Officers. 

 

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

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented the report, which related to an application to drive Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles in North Norfolk where there were matters on the Applicant’s DBS check which required consideration.

 

The Legal Advisor noted that both of the Applicant’s referees lived at the same address.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that the Applicant had known both referees since school and the references were considered to be acceptable. 

 

The Chairman invited the Applicant to put his case.

 

The Applicant stated that he had turned his life around and wanted to move on.  He was already working as a controller for his employer and wanted to progress to driving taxis, which would help him financially and he would like to meet more people when he was on the road.

 

The Sub-Committee questioned the Applicant.

 

Councillor Mrs E Spagnola asked if alcohol had been a contributory factor in the offences.  The Applicant stated that it had not.

 

Councillor P Fisher referred to the Applicant’s offences and asked what had changed in his life.

 

The Applicant explained the difficult family circumstances that had led to his convictions.  He was now in a much better place in terms of his family and personal circumstances.

 

The Chairman asked if there had been any violence against a person.

 

The Applicant stated the incidents had been mainly verbal, and gave details of the most recent conviction, for which he had received a conditional discharge.

 

The Chairman asked if the Applicant would be able to keep his cool if, for example, someone was sick in his taxi or refused to pay. 

 

The Applicant confirmed that he would be able to deal calmly with difficult or vulnerable passengers and was aware of the procedures set down by his employer.  He also confirmed that he was familiar with the Taxi Handbook and Policy.

 

The Licensing Enforcement Officer asked why the Applicant had used a company for his medical rather than his GP.

 

The Applicant explained that he had used the company previously and they had been very good so he went to them again.

 

Councillor P Fisher advised the Applicant to have his blood pressure checked by his GP.

 

In response to a question by the Legal Advisor, the Applicant explained the events that had resulted in a Police caution and confirmed that he did not take or deal in drugs.

 

There were no further questions.

 

The Sub-Committee retired at 10.14 am and returned at 11.13 am.

 

The Chairman read out the determination.

 

RESOLVED

 

That a licence be granted for a period of one year subject to a condition requiring the Applicant to remain clear of any cautions or any further convictions during that period.