Issue - meetings

To consider an application by Miss A

(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. He explained 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 protected

• Vulnerable persons were protected

• The public had confidence in using licensed vehicles

The Licensing Manager presented a written report on the application received by Miss A for a hackney/private hire vehicle driver's licence. ⁠The Sub-committee was requested to consider the application in accordance with the relevant convictions.

The Licensing Authority recommended that the Sub-committee should approve the application.

In response to a question for more information regarding the Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers Certificate, the Licensing Manager noted that it was a high-quality interactive training course which taught learners how to achieve their safeguarding duties, by identifying different types of abuse and/or exploitation and report on those concerns appropriately. She reiterated, for three years, that the Licensing Unit recommended that taxi drivers completed the training, and the intention for the future was to make it part of the Licensing Policy.

The applicant's representative was invited to expand on the application, providing information about the background of the offences and the applicant's personal circumstances. They noted that the applicant had been honest in her application and had explained why the community order was revoked. They reiterated that this was one incident and the applicant had pleaded guilty. Should the application be approved, they would be happy to employ her.

The applicant was invited to expand on her application, but she noted that she was happy with what her representative had presented.

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

·      DBS Statement

·      The applicant's application form 

·      Verbal observations by the applicant's representative

Specific consideration was given to the following matters

Background

In January 2020, the applicant was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.S.47.

In March 2022, the applicant was found guilty of not complying with the community order requirements, contrary to the Sentencing Act 2020 Schedule 10, which was revoked after that.

RELEVANT CLAUSES OF THE POLICY

Paragraph 2.2 of the Council's Policy was considered, which stated that a person with a conviction for a serious offence need not be automatically barred from obtaining a licence but would be expected to have been free of any conviction for an appropriate period as stated in the Policy, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5