skip to main content

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Cyfarfod Rhithiol / Virtual Meeting. View directions

Contact: Lowri Haf Evans  01286 679878

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

None to note

 

2.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

Minutes:

No declarations of personal interest were received from any members present.

 

3.

URGENT ITEMS

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

 

Minutes:

None to note

 

4.

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 is relevant as the report includes information about specific individuals who have the right to privacy. There is no public interest that calls for disclosing personal information about these individuals which would outweigh their rights. Consequently, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

Minutes:

It was 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 12A 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, or their identities.  Consequently, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

5.

APPLICATION FOR A HACKNEY/PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE

To consider an application by Mr 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.

 

Minutes:

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. It was highlighted that the applicant had not stated that he had any previous convictions on his application form and it was suggested that he should expand on this. 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. He explained that the incident in 2018 had occurred on private land and he had received advice that there was no need to report the accident. He added that the Council's Health and Safety Unit and the Post Office Health and Safety Unit at Cibyn, Caernarfon had recorded the incident.  He highlighted that if his application was successful then he would run a Taxi company.

 

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 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 applicant's verbal representations

·         The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's guidelines

 

ch) Specific consideration was given to the following matters

           

In July 1980, the applicant was found guilty by Caernarfon and Gwyrfai Magistrates Court for one charge of assault that caused actual bodily harm contrary to s47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.  He received a fine of £20:00

 

In June 2018, the applicant was found guilty by North East Wales Magistrates Court for one charge of failing to report an accident, contrary to s170 (4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.  He received a fine of £325.00 and an endorsement on his driving licence.


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 would normally be expected to remain free of any conviction for an appropriate period as stated in the Policy, and to show evidence that the individual is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.