Miscellaneous Licensing Committee - 8 May 2026

The meeting began with the Democratic Officer’s report on the recent emergency evacuation and domestic procedures, followed by a reminder of the Council’s Code of Conduct. Councillor Saunby declared a non‑registerable interest in agenda items 7, 8 and 9 (applications WD226, WV172 and W03) because he knows the applicants and left the room before those items were considered. A motion by Councillor J Martin, seconded by Councillor Batters, resolved that the minutes of the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting held on 2 April 2026 were correctly recorded and should be signed by the Chairman. A second motion, moved by Councillor Moorcroft and seconded by the Chairman, ordered that the press and public be excluded from the discussion of any business that might disclose exempt information, in line with the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee then considered a series of driver‑licence applications. The renewal of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for applicant WD226 was refused after members noted two speeding offences (seven penalty points), failure to notify the Council of those points and a change of address, and non‑disclosure of endorsements on the application form. Similar grounds led to the revocation of the Private Hire Vehicle Licence for applicant WV172 and the revocation of the Private Hire Operator Licence for applicant WO3; both holders had accrued seven penalty points, failed to inform the Council of the points and of an address change, and had been subject to a parking‑rank complaint. The Committee also refused the grant of a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence to applicant WD227, citing a recent drink‑driving conviction (within the statutory seven‑year exclusion period) and an HR Safeguarding assessment that deemed the applicant unsuitable.

In contrast, the application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence for applicant WD228 was approved. Members accepted the applicant’s acknowledgment that a previous incident was a one‑off event, noted that he had since obtained a personal licence and was operating a pub, and considered mitigating evidence that allowed the Committee to depart from the standard ten‑year exclusion period for violent offences. HR Safeguarding confirmed the applicant’s suitability, and the Committee concluded that granting the licence was proportionate and consistent with the statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

The final decisions dealt with two additional licences. The grant of a licence for applicant E1D219 was refused because the applicant was still within the seven‑year exclusion period for a drink‑driving conviction and did not meet the fit‑and‑proper criteria. The renewal of the licence for applicant E1D220 was also refused; members highlighted undisclosed penalty points, failure to subscribe to the DBS Update Service, and evidence that the applicant continued to operate a taxi while his licence was suspended, raising serious safety and insurance concerns. In each case, the Committee emphasized its overriding duty to protect public safety and to apply the statutory standards for fitness and propriety.