Agenda and minutes

In the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair it was proposed, seconded and unanimously,

RESOLVED that Councillor W. Hodgins take the Chair

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 M. Moore, B. Summers and D. Wilkshire.

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

It was reported that Martin Woodland – Solicitor and Advisor to the Planning, Regulatory & General Licensing Committee would shortly be leaving the Authority to take up a new post with a neighbouring authority.  Members commended the phenomenal support that Martin had provided during his time at the Authority and said that he would be sorely missed.

RESOLVED that a letter be forwarded expressing appreciation to Martin for all the support he had provided and expressing best wishes for the future in his new role.

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

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

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 Paragraph 12, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Order of Agenda – it was agreed that Application Reference Nos. 1.1(b) and 1.1(c) be heard at this juncture in the meeting.

New Licence Application Reference No. 1.1 (b)

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

The Licensing Enforcement Officer reported that the meeting had been convened to consider a new application received for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence. The Officer provided Members with information in relation to the applicant and offences committed which had been highlighted as part of the DBS checking process and said it was, therefore, a matter for the Committee to determine whether the applicant should be granted a licence for the full period of 36-months or any other period the Committee saw fit or to refuse the application.

The Chair then invited the applicant to explain the circumstances surrounding the offences committed.

In mitigation as to the offences the Applicant stated that they were all committed when he was a juvenile and he deeply regretted the offences. Since that time he had held down a full time job – the last 13 years working as a HGV driver and did community work in his local area.  He informed Members that he had a passion for driving and wanted an opportunity to help members of the community by assisting in the provision of taxi services.

The Applicant informed the Committee that should he be granted a licence he would become employed with a local taxi firm in the Abertillery area.                

In reply to a question, the Applicant gave full details of the offence that was committed during 2002.

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

The Applicant and officers from the Licensing Section 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 unanimous decision of the Committee as follows:

The Committee had considered the evidence placed before them and when reaching its decision, the Committee had also considered the previous convictions, the representations made by the Applicant, the Licensing Officers present at Committee, the character references and had taken into consideration matters contained within the Council’s Information and Guidance Booklet including conditions relating to Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licenses and Private Hire Vehicle Licenses.

The Committee unanimously agreed that the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.