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No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES To receive
any apologies for absence. Minutes: The Chair,
Councillor Eryl Jones Williams, welcomed everyone to the meeting. The panel and
the officers were introduced to everyone present. Apologies –
none to note |
|
DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive
any declaration of personal interest. Minutes: No declarations of personal interest were received from any members
present. |
|
URGENT ITEMS To note any
items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for
consideration. Minutes: None to
note |
|
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC The
Chairman shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting
during the discussion on the following items due to the likely disclosure of
exempt information as defined in paragraph 12, Part 4, Schedule 12A of the
Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph should apply because the individuals
in question are entitled to privacy and there is no overriding public interest
that requires the disclosure of personal information relating to those
individuals, nor their identity. Consequently, the public interest in
maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the
information. Minutes: RESOLVED to
exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the
following items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined
in paragraphs 12 and 13, Part 4, Schedule 12 A, of the Local Government Act
1972. These paragraphs applied as the individuals in question were entitled to
privacy and there was no overriding public interest that required the
disclosure of personal information relating to those individuals, nor their
identities. Consequently, the public interest in maintaining the exemption
outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. |
|
APPLICATION FOR A HACKNEY/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE To consider
an application by Mr A (separate
copy for sub-committee members only) Minutes: APPLICATION FOR A
HACKNEY/PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER’S LICENCE (MR A) a)
The Licensing Officer presented the written report
on the application received from Mr A for a new hackney/private hire driver’s
licence. b)
It was reiterated that a
statement of convictions had been submitted and the statement noted that the
applicant had a conviction that was relevant to licensing taxi drivers. The
Committee was asked to consider the application in accordance with the DBS record,
and in accordance with the guidelines on relevant crimes and convictions. c)
The applicant was invited to
elaborate on his application and especially the conviction of battery that took
place in 2011, noting that it was a domestic incident between him and his wife. His wife did not
take up a case against him but, as the incident had been seen on closed circuit
television, the Crown Prosecution Service took action against him. He confirmed
to the Panel that he still lived with his wife and had had two children since
the incident and that another was due. ch) An email message was submitted in support of
Mr A's application from a Police Inspector, stating that he had known him for
over 20 years. He expressed that Mr A was a bright, eloquent and kind person.
He was a sensible person at all times and that the previous conviction had been
an event that was completely out of character. He would have no concern in
offering Mr A employment and wished him success in gaining a taxi driver's
licence. d)
Mr
A responded to a number of questions from the Panel Members including issues
about his work, reasons for submitting the application etc. (dd)The applicant and the Licensing Officer withdrew
from the room while the Sub-committee members discussed the application. (e) In reaching their decision, the Sub-committee had considered the following
factors: ·
the requirements of the
'Gwynedd Council's Licensing Policy for Hackney Carriages and Private
Hire' ·
the applicant's application
form ·
the Licensing Department's
report along with the DBS statement ·
verbal observations by the
applicant ·
an email of support from a
Police Inspector ·
that the applicant had
previous convictions: - the convictions had been for criminal damage in 1990 and 1991 which had
taken place 26 and 25 years ago. - That the drink driving conviction in 1998 had taken place 16 years ago and
the conviction for battery had taken place in 2011, 5 1/2 years ago. - Although the above convictions were serious, they had taken place years ago
Under paragraphs 6.5 and 11.3 of the relevant policy, and considering that
over three years had passed in relation to all convictions, the Sub-committee
did not consider these convictions to be sufficient ground for refusing the
application. RESOLVED that the applicant was a fit and
proper person to be issued with a hackney vehicle/private hire driver's licence
and Mr A's application for a hackney vehicle/private hire licence was granted. |
|
APPLICATION FOR A HACKNEY/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE To consider
an application by Mr B (separate
copy for sub-committee members only) Minutes: APPLICATION FOR A HACKNEY/PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER’S LICENCE (MR B) The Sub-committee
expressed disappointment that the applicant was not present at the
Sub-committee and as such: RESOLVED: (a) the decision on the above application would be deferred, with regard
to the fact that the applicant was not present and that the Sub-committee
needed more information and a further explanation from the applicant about the
convictions. (b) A request was made that the Licensing Officer contact the applicant
suggesting that he submit testimonial letters in support of his application
from an employer and / or prospective employer before the Sub-committee further
considers his application. |