Miscellaneous Licensing Committee - 10 October 2025

The meeting began with the Democratic Officer reporting an emergency evacuation and domestic procedures. Councillor Moorcroft declared a non‑registerable interest in agenda items 9, 12 and 13 and excused himself for those items. The assembly then approved the minutes of the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting of 12 September 2025, and resolved that the minutes be signed by the Chairman. A further resolution, moved by Councillor Moorcroft and seconded by Councillor Ball, excluded the press and public from consideration of business that could disclose exempt personal information, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

Four licence applications were decided on. Applications for the renewal of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle driver’s licence for WD210 and for the grant of a licence to E1D213 were both refused. The committee cited multiple speeding endorsements for WD210, a pattern of behaviour, and failure to notify the council of those endorsements as evidence that he was not a “fit and proper” person. For E1D213, the decision was based on convictions for driving with excess alcohol in 2018 and a 46‑month disqualification in 2019, which did not satisfy the statutory seven‑year waiting period before a licence could be granted. In both cases the members emphasized their duty to protect public safety.

Three applications were approved. The licence for E1D214 was granted despite a 2017 drink‑driving conviction, because the committee accepted HR Safeguarding’s recommendation and decided to depart from the seven‑year guideline on the basis of the applicant’s overall suitability. The application of WD211 was also granted; the applicant had a prior taxi licence, a minor speeding endorsement, and a disclosed offence, but HR Safeguarding’s endorsement and the committee’s assessment of the evidence led to a decision that he was fit and proper. The licence for E1D215 was granted subject to the applicant providing written confirmation from the DVLA that the licensing service had been notified of her current medication, satisfying the Group 2 medical standards required for drivers.

The committee reviewed two existing licences. For the driver licence E1D194 and the vehicle licence EV17, motions to issue warning letters were proposed but defeated. Subsequent motions resolved that no action be taken, as the members concluded that the evidence of alleged misconduct was insufficient to warrant formal action. In each case the committee reiterated its overarching responsibility to consider public safety while acknowledging that the reported issues had been resolved or lacked substantiation.