Agenda and minutes

Councillor Mrs P Grove-Jones was appointed as Chairman of the Panel.

None.

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.

None.

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.

None.

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.”

RESOLVED

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.

Present: Applicant

The Panel Members and Officers introduced themselves. 

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 and DVLA checks which required consideration.

Cllr H Blathwayt asked the Applicant to explain the offence noted on his DBS check. 

The Applicant explained the nature and circumstances of the offence.  He took full responsibility for the offence, which had resulted in a police caution.  He regretted the incident and wanted to move forward with his life. He stated that the DBS did not reflect the type of person he was and he would help anybody out however he could.

Cllr Blathwayt referred to Section 8 of the application form on which the applicant had not declared his criminal record.

The Applicant explained that he had asked the owner of a taxi firm what the question meant.  He had also mentioned the caution when he submitted his application and had been advised that it was fine.

The Chairman explained that if this was the case, the advice given to the Applicant had been incorrect, for which she apologised.  However, she pointed out that note 14 of the application form explained that all convictions and cautions should be declared.

In response to a question by Cllr T Adams, the Applicant explained the treatment and help he had received and stated that he no longer had any issues.

Cllr Adams asked the Applicant to explain the offences on his DVLA check. 

The Applicant explained that one of the offences related to a commercial vehicle which was supposed to have been checked by an on-site mechanic and the other related to a vehicle which he believed he was insured to drive but the vehicle owner had not obtained the necessary insurance. 

In answer to a question by Cllr Blathwayt, the Applicant explained the reasons for changing his name.

The Sub-Committee retired at 10.20 am and returned at 11.12 am.

The Chairman read the determination.

RESOLVED

That the licence be granted for a period of one year.