Minutes:
Present: Licence Applicant
The Chairman, Members of the Panel and Officers introduced themselves. The Chairman outlined the procedure for the meeting.
The LA addressed preliminary issues per the procedure note.
The LEO 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 outlined the incident resulting in his conviction and expressed remorse for his actions. The incident took place when the Applicant was inebriated, as such he had foggy recollection of events. The applicant confirmed his actions were not malicious, and this could be verified by witnesses who had informed him the incident had been as a result of confusion over whose property was whose. The Applicant stated he was deeply embarrassed and ashamed of the event and its outcome.
Members asked the Applicant to elaborate his experience as a taxi driver. The Applicant discussed his experience and affirmed that he had not attended any speed awareness training nor had been convicted of a driving offense. He advised he held a contract with Norfolk County Council to operate a taxi for school services for several years without issue. His application related to work he would undertake separately with a different contractor not related to schoolwork.
The Applicant advised he was an honest and hard-working person who went the extra mile for his customers, providing examples of instances where he went above and beyond. He commented that he enjoyed the work and reiterated his regret for his actions.
Having considered relevant written and oral evidence before it, the Sub-Committee deemed that the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence. The Sub-Committee considered the applicant had spoken well and appreciated his honesty throughout.
RESOLVED
That the licence be GRANTED.
Supporting documents: