Agenda and draft 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 17 November 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

The Licensing & Food Safety Manager presented a report which sought consideration of authorising Licensing Officers to approve Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver applications, in certain circumstances where the applicant is unable to supply a letter of good conduct to support their application.

Officers detailed the background, current procedure and matters for consideration.

Members asked questions of the Officers who responded accordingly.

Resolved that:

1)    applications from applicants who have been resident in the UK for a period of 5 years of longer and are unable to provide the relevant documentation from their country of birth and/or countries where they have lived for more than 6 months are determined by officers and

2)    applications from applicants who have been resident in the UK for less than 5 years and are unable to provide the relevant documentation from their country of birth and/or countries where they have lived for more than 6 months, or there are any concerns in respect of the application, are referred to General Licensing Committee for determination.

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 Operational Lead – Taxis detailed the background in respect of AM.

Members asked questions of the Officers who responded accordingly.

AM, accompanied by Mr I, explained the circumstances relating to the matter and answered Members questions.

Resolved that AM’s application for the Grant of a Restricted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved.

The Licensing Team Leader detailed the background in respect of UBL’s application for a Private Hire Operators Licence.

Representatives of UBL provided a comprehensive summary of their operating procedures and answered Members questions relating to their application.

Resolved that UBL’s request for a Private Hire Operator Licence be granted.