Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allen, Nawaz, Miners, Herdman and Davidson. Councillors Saltmarsh and Sandford were in attendance as a substitutes.

At this point Members must declare whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, or other interest, in any of the items on the agenda, unless it is already entered in the register of members’ interests or is a “pending notification” that has been disclosed to the Solicitor to the Council. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 were approved as a true and accurate record.

i)              21/03/14 – Cliftepala (Personal)

ii)             21/08/14 – Mansfield Snooker Club (Review)

iii)            17/10/14 – Exeter Arms (New Premises)

iv)           27/10/14 – 327 Lincoln Road (New Premises)

v)            11/11/14 – 44 Eastfield Road (New Premises)

         The following minutes of the Sub-Committee hearings held between March 2014 and November 2014 were approved as true and accurate records:

i)              21/03/14 – Cliftepala (Personal)

ii)             21/08/14 – Mansfield Snooker Club (Review)

iii)            17/10/14 – Exeter Arms (New Premises)

iv)           27/10/14 – 327 Lincoln Road (New Premises)

v)            11/11/14 – 44 Eastfield Road (New Premises)

In accordance with Standing Orders, Members are asked to determine whether agenda item 5, ‘Decision Required in Relation to a Private Hire Driver’s Licence’, which contains exempt information relating to an individual, which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and in relation to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention or investigation or prosecution of crime, as defined by Paragraph 1, 2 and 7 of Schedule 12A of Part1 of the Local Government Act 1972, should be exempt and the press and public excluded from the meeting when this report is discussed or whether the public interest in disclosing this information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

In accordance with Standing Orders, Members were asked to determine whether agenda item 5, ‘Decision Required in Relation to a Private Hire Driver’s Licence’, which contained exempt information relating to an individual, which was likely to reveal the identity of an individual and in relation to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention or investigation or prosecution of crime, as defined by Paragraph 1, 2 and 7 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972, should be exempt and the press and public excluded from the meeting when this report was discussed or whether the public interest in disclosing this information outweighed the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

The Committee unanimously agreed to the exclusion of the press and public for agenda item 5 ‘Decision Required in Relation to a Private Hire Driver’s Licence’.

         The Committee received a report following a request from the Head of Regulatory Services. The report provided the Committee with information to enable them to consider and determine whether a private hire driver currently on suspension could be deemed a “fit and proper” person to hold a private hire driver’s licence.

         The Regulatory Officer addressed the Committee, advising of the main issues.

         The Licence Holder the Licence Holder’s Representative addressed the Committee and responded to questions. The key points in respect of the Licence Holder’s representation were highlighted.

All parties then left the room while the Committee debated the application and made their decision.

RESOLVED: (four voted in favour, three voted against) That:

i)      the Committee deemed the private hire driver a “fit and proper” person to be granted a private hire driver’s licence; and

ii)     the suspension currently imposed be lifted.

          Reasons for the decision:

          The Committee did not believe the private hire driver possessed a significant threat to the public based on the evidence presented to them.