Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the last meeting be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received a report detailing licensing related appeals and prosecutions which have taken place during the period 30 September 2017 to 24 November 2017.

RESOLVED - That the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report detailing suspensions and revocations that have taken place during the period 26 September 2017 to 27 November 2017.

RESOLVED - That the information be noted.

The Committee were provided with a copy of the LGA Councillor Handbook.  It was felt that this was a really useful guide for members.  It was published last month and it was a document which officers from Gateshead had input to.

It was felt that it would be useful that members around the country had a starting point.  A couple of areas of the handbook were pointed out to the Committee which it was felt would be particularly useful.  The Role of the Councillor and the areas which they can look at when making decisions at Committee and The Fit and Proper Test.  There is an emphasis on the challenges Council’s face following Rotherham and the role the taxi trade played in that.

The guide highlights vulnerability and people who can be vulnerable if they’d had too much to drink or if they are a lone passenger.

It was noted that whilst all councils are applying the same legislation they are all doing it in slightly different ways.

The Committee were advised that we are developing cross border authorisation and partnership working.  This scheme is developing an information sharing protocol so that if a person has their license revoked in one authority this can be shared with other authorities.  10 out of the 12 regional authorities are already signed up to this.  The two who are not yet included are looking into the legal position.

The Committee were advised that from February of next year there will be a national register of revocations.

It is hoped that this handbook will lead to consistency across local authorities.

RESOLVED - That the information presented be noted.

The Committee may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds indicated:-

Item No                                                           Paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the

                                                                        Local Government Act 1972

7                                                                                              7         

8                                                                                              7                                             

RESOLVED -That the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

RESOLVED - That the summaries of decisions from the last committee be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director Communities and Environment

RESOLVED -      i)      The Committee were satisfied that applicant RC/21/17 was fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence, and that such licence should be for a one year duration.

                            ii)     The Committee were satisfied that applicant RC/22/17 was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence and that the applicant should keep his current licence, however, the applicant should also have a warning letter placed on his file with regards to future conduct.

                            (iii)   The Committee were satisfied that applicant RC/23/17 was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence, and that such licence should be for a one year duration.

                            iv)    The Committee agreed to defer applicant RC/24/17 to the next meeting to allow further investigations to take place.