Issue - meetings

To consider an application by Mr A

 

(separate copy for sub-committee members only)

 

DECISION

 

That the applicant was 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 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 Manager presented the written report on the application received from Mr A for a hackney/private hire 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.

 

The applicant was invited to expand on the application and provide information about the background of the points on his licence, the conviction for a serious driving offence and his personal circumstances. He highlighted that the serious driving conviction had occurred in January 2016 and not in June 2015 as noted in the report.

 

In response to a question regarding the date of signing the application (27-02-2005) the applicant noted that this was a mistake and that he had confused the date with the birthday of a family member.

 

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 had 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 report of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

·      The applicant's application form 

·      Verbal observations by the applicant

 

Specific consideration was given to the following matters:

 

Background

 

In April 2023, the applicant received six penalty points on his driving licence for not disclosing information relating to the driver of the car, etc.

 

In May 2023, the applicant received three additional penalty points on his driving licence for Breaching the Speed Limit on a Public Road.

 

In January 2016 the applicant was convicted for the offence of Causing a Dangerous Incident on/over a Road, contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1988. He was fined £155, ordered to pay costs of £85 and additional costs of £20.

 

RELEVANT CLAUSES OF THE POLICY

 

Paragraph 2.2 of the Council's Policy was considered, which states that a person with a conviction for a serious offence need not be automatically barred from obtaining a licence, but will be expected to have been free of any conviction for an appropriate period as stated in the Policy, and to show evidence that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The onus is on the applicant to show that he/she is a fit and proper person. ⁠Paragraph 2.4 states that when an applicant has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5