Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:-

Councillors B. Summers, D. Wilkshire and L. Winnett

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To consider the report of the Team Manager – Licensing & Commercial.

Consideration was given to the report of the Team Manager – Licensing and Commercial.

The Team Manager presented the report which provided an update on the work of the Licensing Team for Quarter 2. 

The Team Manager referred to the Operational Report and gave an overview of the information contained therein, and advised that one meeting had been held with the local Taxi Association during Quarter 2 to discuss issues affecting local trade and these meetings would continue during the remaining quarters of 2019/20.

With regard to the Management Report the Team Manager advised that work in respect of Charitable Collections and Sex Establishments would commence in Quarter 4 of 2019/20.  All licence fees relevant to general licensing matters would be reviewed during Quarter 3 and 4 of 2019/20 with proposed changes being implemented from 1^st April 2020.

A Member commented that a request had been made at the last meeting for an update on collaboration and arrangements going forward as the previous Team Manager Licensing had returned to her post at Torfaen Council.  The Team Manager said that the Service Manager Public Protection could provide an update on collaboration and arrangements going forward at the next meeting.

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and that the information contained therein be noted (Option 2).

To receive and consider the following report(s) which in the opinion of the proper officer is/are an exempt item(s) taking into account consideration of the public interest test and that the press and public should be excluded from the meeting (the reason for the decision for the exemption is available on a schedule maintained by the proper officer).

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst the following item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12 & 14, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider the report of the Team Manager – Licensing and Commercial.

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest, in maintaining the exemption, outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it was likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12 & 14, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

New Licence Application

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made accordingly.

The Senior Licensing Officer reported that the meeting had been convened for a new application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Licence. The Officer provided Members with information in relation to the applicant and offences committed and said it was the Committee’s duty to decide whether the applicant be granted a licence for full period of 36 months or any other period the Committee saw fit or to refuse the application.

The Chair introduced the Applicant and invited him to explain the circumstances of the offence.

The Applicant commenced by advising that unfortunately due to some confusion his insurance policy had been cancelled however, in interim period between him taking out a further policy he had been sanctioned by the Police.  It was noted that the applicant had  held a driving licence for 11 years and had no other convictions and informed Members that he had applied for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence to provide a better lifestyle for this family.

A discussion ensued when Members sought clarification from the Applicant regarding the offence.

At this juncture, the Solicitor read out references which had been received in support of the applicant.

The Applicant left the meeting whilst Members considered the application.

Following consideration by Members the Applicant was invited to re-join the meeting and at the request of the Chair the Solicitor read out the decision of the Committee as follows:-

The application before the Committee today was made by the Applicant for a Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Licence. The applicant informed Members that he had not previously held a Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Licence. The Committee note from the record of offence placed before them today that the applicant has a single motoring conviction. The applicant offered explanation to the Committee by way of mitigation as to his actions concerning the commission of the offence. The applicant informed the Committee that should he be granted a licence today, he would be employed with a local taxi firm in   Ebbw Vale.

The Committee considered the evidence placed before them today, and when reaching their decision have also considered the previous conviction together with the representations offered to us by the licensing officers present, and the Applicant.

The Committee were of the opinion that the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Licence and the committee grant the application. The Applicant was advised that should he commit any further offences during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.