Issue - meetings

To consider an application by Mr A

(separate copy for sub-committee members only)

That the applicant is a fit and proper person to be issued with a hackney vehicle/private hire driver's licence from Gwynedd Council.

a)    The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. He explained that the decision would be made in accordance with Gwynedd Council's licensing policy. It was noted that the purpose of the policy was to set guidelines for the criteria when considering the applicant's application, with the aim of protecting the public by ensuring that:

• The person is a fit and proper person

• The person does not pose a threat to the public

• The public are safeguarded from dishonest persons

• Children and young people are protected

• Vulnerable persons are protected

• The public have confidence in using licensed vehicles.

The Licensing Officer presented a written report on an application received from Mr A for a hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence. The Sub-committee was requested to consider the application in accordance with the DBS record, the guidelines on criminal offences and relevant convictions. The Licensing Authority recommended that the Sub-committee should approve the application.

The applicant was invited to expand on the application and provide information about the background of the offences and his personal circumstances.  The applicant explained that the incidents that were recorded on the DBS were historical incidents and that he had now matured, changed his behaviour and was now a parent. He added that he had been offered a job as a taxi driver should his application be approved.

b)    RESOLVED that the applicant was a fit and proper person to be issued with a hackney/private hire vehicle driver's licence from Gwynedd Council.

c)     In reaching its decision, the Sub-committee had considered the following:

·         The requirements of 'Gwynedd Council's Licensing Policy for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles' 

·         the applicant's application form

·         the licensing department's report and the DBS statement

·         the report of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

·         the applicant's verbal representations

ch) Specific consideration was given to the following matters

In October 2010, the applicant was found guilty by Gwynedd Magistrates Court of disorderly behaviour or the use of threatening / abusive / insulting language likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress contrary to s5 (1) (A) of the Public Order Act 1986. He received a conditional discharge for 12 months and an order to pay costs of £85.00. In March 2011, the applicant was found guilty by Gwynedd Magistrates Court of common assault contrary to s39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. He was given a community order of six months, a two month curfew with an electronic tag to remain at an address in the Barmouth area every day between 19:00 and 07:00 and an order to pay costs of £85.00.

In September 2019, he received three penalty points for a speeding incident. The applicant verbally confirmed that details on the licence (provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) were accurate and that he had been issued with a fixed penalty notice from the Police for this incident. He also confirmed that he had been speeding in a further incident on an unspecified date, but that he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5