Miscellaneous Licensing Committee - 23 January 2026
Key Takeaways
- •Cornwall Council Miscellaneous Licensing Committee approved renewal applications for both a taxi driver licence and vehicle licence for the same applicant (W2D192/W2V78), despite the applicant having a 2023 conviction for possession of an offensive weapon.
- •The Committee chose to depart from their standard 7-year policy regarding weapon-related convictions, citing the applicant's good conduct since 2023 and proper disclosure of the offences.
- •A separate taxi driver's licence (WD216) was revoked with immediate effect due to conduct issues and concerns about public safety, with the driver not attending the hearing.
- •The Committee determined that both approved applicants were fit and proper persons to hold taxi licences after considering safeguarding concerns and applying the 'would you let someone you care about travel with this driver' test.
- •Minutes from the previous December 5, 2025 meeting were formally approved and signed by the Chairman.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors. Read the full minutes for the official record.
**Procedural matters** – The Committee first confirmed that the minutes of the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting held on 5 December 2025 were correctly recorded and authorised the Chairman’s signature. A resolution was also passed, under the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the consideration of certain items that involved the disclosure of exempt personal information.
**Renewals granted** – The Committee approved the renewal of several Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle licences despite the applicants’ prior warnings, speeding offences and, in two cases, a 2023 conviction for possession of an offensive weapon. Applicants W2D192, W2V78, E1D190, CD288 and CD289 were each found to be “fit and proper” after the Committee considered the reports, the applicants’ statements, the absence of safeguarding concerns and the fact that the offences were historic. In each of these cases the Committee explicitly departed from the standard seven‑year policy for weapon‑related convictions, concluding that the applicants had shown no further misconduct and that public safety would not be compromised.
**Revocations** – Licences were revoked with immediate effect for six drivers who were judged not to be fit and proper. The revocations applied to WD216, WV169, E1D217, EV21, E1D218 and CD293. The Committee cited repeated conduct breaches, including the unauthorised use of a licensed vehicle for personal purposes, failure to attend PACE interviews, undisclosed offences, and, in two instances, illegal tobacco sales to a council officer. Each decision was made under Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, with the overriding aim of protecting public safety.
**Other outcomes** – One application (CD291) was refused because the applicant had been disqualified under the “totting‑up” procedure, a circumstance that the Council’s guidelines prohibit licence grant for five years. The application of CD292 was deferred pending additional medical evidence to confirm compliance with Group 2 medical standards. Overall, the Committee’s deliberations were driven by the statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and a consistent emphasis on the public’s safety and the suitability of licence holders.
Attendance
12 of 15 members present
Decisions
Approval of minutes from 5 December 2025 meeting
The council approved the minutes of the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting held on December 5 2025 after checking them for accuracy.
Exclusion of press and public
The council decided to keep certain personal information private, not allowing the press or public to see it.
Renewal of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - W2D192
The council decided to renew the hackney carriage and private‑hire driver’s licence even though the applicant had prior warnings and a recent conviction for possessing an offensive weapon.
Renewal of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence - W2V78
The council has decided to renew the hackney carriage licence (W2V78) for a driver who has previous warnings and recent convictions.
Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD216
The council is reviewing a hackney carriage and private‑hire driver’s licence because the driver let someone else use the licensed vehicle.
Review of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence - WV169
The council is reviewing licence WV169’s hackney carriage licence because the holder allowed another person to use the licensed vehicle.
Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD291
The council is approving the applicant’s Hackney carriage and private‑hire driver’s licence even though they previously served a six‑month driving ban for unpaid fines.
Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - E1D190
The council has approved a new hackney carriage and private‑hire driver’s licence for the applicant, even though their renewal was refused in March 2024.
Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - E1D217
The council decided to review the driver’s licence because the applicant’s conduct shows they are not a fit and proper person.
Review of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence - EV21
The council is reviewing hackney carriage licence EV21 because the licence holder’s conduct shows they are not a fit and proper person.
Revocation of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - E1D218
The council has cancelled the driver’s licence because the driver illegally sold tobacco to a council officer during a test purchase.
Revocation of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence - EV22
The council is cancelling the vehicle licence because the driver illegally sold tobacco during a test purchase.
Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD288
The council approved the new hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence (application CD288) despite anonymous accusations, using updated information from Plymouth City Council.
Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD289
The council has approved a new hackney carriage and private‑hire driver’s licence (application CD289) despite the applicant’s medical issues that fall under the DVLA’s Group 2 standards.
Deferral of application for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD292
Your driver’s licence application has been put on hold until you can provide the required medical information for Group 2 medical standards.
Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD293
The council has immediately revoked the driver’s licence because the driver was recently convicted of violence and criminal damage and failed to notify the council.
Related meetings
Adjacent Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meetings:
Other meetings within a week
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board — Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board - 16 January 2026 (16 Jan 2026)
- Cornwall Council — Cornwall Council - 20 January 2026 (20 Jan 2026)
- Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 21 January 2026 (21 Jan 2026)
- Urgent Driver/Operator/Vehicle Sub Committee — Urgent Driver/Operator/Vehicle Sub Committee - 22 January 2026 (22 Jan 2026)
- Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 27 January 2026 (27 Jan 2026)
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service Local Pension Board — Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service Local Pension Board - 27 January 2026 (27 Jan 2026)