Minutes:
The Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting and confirmed that they had all received a copy of the paperwork.
The Licensing Officer reminded Members that the Appellant had failed to notify the Licensing Team of a caution that he had received in September 2019. The matter had come to the Licensing Team’s attention following a DBS check that had been carried out after the Appellant’s renewal of his Private Hire Driver (PHD) Licence application in March 2021. It was noted that the Appellant also held a PHD licence with a neighbouring local authority, who had not been notified of the caution either. Options available to the Sub-Committee were highlighted.
Members asked the Licensing Officer a number of questions including whether drivers were aware of the obligation to notify the licensing office within seven days of receiving a caution or conviction and if there were any other incidents on file. It was explained that when issued with a PHD licence a copy of the policy and guidance was provided to drivers. With the exception of the caution, there were no incidents on file regarding the Appellant’s conduct as a PHD.
The Appellant explained the circumstances which had led to him receiving the caution and apologised for failing to inform the licensing department within the required time period. He also brought to Members attention that he had detailed the caution on his renewal application.
The Licensing Officer and Appellant provided a short summary following which they left the meeting.
After careful consideration of all the written information and representations made at the meeting the Sub-Committee –
Resolved - That Appellant 02-21’s Private Hire driver Licence be suspended for a period of four weeks and a formal warning be issued regarding future conduct.