Issue - meetings

To consider an application by Mr B

(separate copy for sub-committee members only)

DECISION

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

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. She highlighted that the decision would be made in accordance with Cyngor Gwynedd'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 was a fit and proper person

• The person did not pose a threat to the public

• The public were safeguarded from dishonest persons

• Children and young people were safeguarded

• Vulnerable people were safeguarded

• The public could be confident in using licensed vehicles

The Licensing Manager submitted the written report on the application received from Mr B for a hackney/private hire driver’s licence. The Sub-committee was asked to consider the application in accordance with the relevant convictions.

The Licensing Authority recommended the Sub-committee grant the application. It was added that it was an application to renew the licence of Hackney / Private Hire vehicle that was presented and that the applicant had declared the speeding points on his application.

The applicant's representative was invited to expand on the application and provide information about the background of the penalty points that he had received for speeding. He noted that the applicant was in the office, but was ill with covid. If there was a need for the members to hear from the applicant, there was a way to arrange another room for him. It was reported that he accepted that the two cases were close together and that the applicant apologised for that. It was noted that the applicant was an experienced driver and that not working over the last six weeks had felt like a punishment - had lost a wage and he was the family's main earner.

In response to a question on why the applicant had not declared his penalty points in May and June, as that it was a condition on any hackney / private hire vehicle driver's licence, it was accepted that the information should have been shared with the Licensing Unit, but the applicant had also thought that he would receive an offer to attend a speed awareness course.

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

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

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

·      The report of the Licensing Department

·      The report of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

·      The applicant's application form 

·      Verbal observations by the applicant's representative

Specific consideration was given to the following matters:

Background

In May 2021, the applicant received three penalty points (SP30) for breaching the speed limit on a public road - these points expire in May 2024. 

In June 2021, the applicant received three penalty points (SP30) for breaching the speed limit on a public road - these points would expire in June 2024.

RELEVANT CLAUSES  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6