Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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 January, 2016  be agreed as a correct record.

[A discussion ensued regarding Minute No. 91 and the previous decision to refer the matter of delegating decisions to Licensing Officers to the Development Cabinet Advisory Committee for examination.  The Committee agreed that it would be more appropriate for the Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food & Safety to undertake a review of the age criteria and report back to a future meeting of the General Licensing Committee].

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food & Safety reported that an application for the grant of a hackney carriage vehicle licence had been received from Mr N Gallagher.  The vehicle was a black Ford Tourneo Registration Mark CY10 MYK and was capable of carrying 8 passengers.

The vehicle did not comply with the current licensing criteria set out by the Authority due to its age.

Members’ noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage Vehicles, Department for Transport – Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles.

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

Members asked questions of Mr N Gallagher who responded accordingly.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr N Gallagher for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence in respect of the Ford Tourneo vehicle registration mark CY10 MYK be GRANTED.

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.

It was RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following items of business.

(CLOSED SESSION)

The Divisional Licensing Officer detailed the background information in

respect of MSB.

MSB, accompanied by ???, outlined the background details and circumstances relating to MSB’s convictions and answered members’ questions.

RESOLVED that MSB’s application for a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED.

The Divisional Licensing Officer detailed the background information in

respect of AJW.

AJW outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered members’ questions.

RESOLVED that AJW’s application for a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REFUSED.

Reason for Decision

AJW did not confirm that he was not dependent on alcohol.   The Committee felt that he was not a fit and proper person given that he could be driving children to school the following morning and may be over the limit.

Additionally, there was evidence that AJW had disregarded the advice from his GP regarding alcohol consumption which indicated that there is a dependency on alcohol.

The Divisional Licensing Officer detailed the background information in

respect of DJD.

DJD outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the  convictions and answered members’ questions.

RESOLVED that DJD receive a strong warning letter regarding future conduct.

The Divisional Licensing Officer detailed the background information in

respect of DJD.

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

DJD outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered members’ questions.

RESOLVED that DJD’s application for a private hire operators licence BE APPROVED.