Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 8 March 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

The Committee was requested to exclude the public from the meeting during the consideration of the items of business identified in the recommendations to the report on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exclusion paragraph of 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation)(Wales) Order 2007, relevant to the item of business as set out in the report.

The Committee considered the Public Interest Test in deciding to exclude the public from the meeting for the items of business where the Public Interest Test was relevant, as set out in the report.

Resolved that the public be excluded for the following items of business.

(Closed Session)

The Licensing, Food & Safety Manager detailed the background in respect of GLT.

GLT explained the circumstances and answered Members’ questions.

Resolved that GLT’s application for the grant of a restricted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused.

Reasons for Decision

The Applicant failed to satisfy the Committee that she was a fit and proper person, as she was still serving a suspended sentence and admitted telling lies in her police statement.

No reasons given to depart from guidelines.

The Licensing, Food & Safety Manager, detailed the background in respect of a complaint received regarding SM.

Members asked questions of the Officers, who responded accordingly.

SM accompanied by Mr W, explained the circumstances around the issue, and answered Members questions relating to the incident.

Resolved that

1.     SM be issued with a strong warning letter regarding his future conduct, and he be reminded of his duty of care to passengers.

2.     No action be taken in respect of SM’s hackney carriage vehicle licence.

The Licensing, Food & Safety Manager, detailed the background in respect of an incident relating to VM that had been witnessed by licensing officers.

Members asked questions of the Officers, who responded accordingly.

VM accompanied by Mr W, explained the circumstances relating to the incident and answered Members questions relating to the incident.

Mr W read out character references in support of VM.

Reason for Decision

The Committee did not deem VM to be a fit and proper person and revoked his hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licences because they did not accept the knife threat as outlined by VM as he would have reported it to the officers at the scene, the driver had admitted intending to get the person to the floor by grabbing by the throat, the passenger was vulnerable in his intoxicated state and Committee were also concerned about the protection of the public.

The actions taken by Officers were noted.