Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence were received from Councillor C L Philpott.

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 11 March 2016 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.

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

(CLOSED SESSION)

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of ALD.

The Chair asked a question of the Lawyer advising the Committee who responded accordingly.

ALD outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that ALD’s application for the renewal of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED and ALD receive a warning letter regarding future conduct.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of DNR.

DNR outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that DNR’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of NM.

Members asked questions of the Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food & Safety who responded accordingly.

NM outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that NM’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED and NW be issued with a warning letter regarding future conduct.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of JW.

JW, accompanied by GH, outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

The Lawyer advising the Committee read the contents of two references in support of JW’s application.

RESOLVED that JW’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REFUSED.

Reason for Decision

Members, having regard for the representations made and references submitted, were not satisfied that JW was a Fit and Proper Person.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, advised that MBC had failed to attend the meeting and confirmed that there had been no communication from MBC requesting a deferment of the matter.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of MBC.

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The matter be dealt with MBC’s absence;

2.     MBC’s application for the grant of a restricted hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REFUSED.

Reason for Decision

In the absence of any request from MBC to defer the matter and having regard to the information provided within the report, Members felt that MBC was not a fit and proper person.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of AJR.

AJR outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

The Lawyer advising the Committee clarified the content of the content of the letter to AJR dated 13 November, 2015.

RESOLVED that AJR’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REFUSED.

Reason for Decision

Members were not satisfied that AJR was a Fit and Proper Person as there had not been sufficient time without any convictions to demonstrate AJR would not re-offend.

COUNCILLOR P DOWNING (CHAIR PRO TEM) PRESIDED

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of ARA.

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

ARA outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that ARA’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED and ARA be issued with a warning letter regarding future conduct.

COUNCILLOR P M MATTHEWS (CHAIR) PRESIDED

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of EJLI.

EJLI outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that EJLI’s application for the grant of a restricted hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REFUSED.

Reason for Decision

Members were not satisfied that sufficient time had passed since the last offence to satisfy Members that the issues had been addressed.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety, detailed the background information in respect of CAW.

CAW outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the convictions and answered Members’ questions.

RESOLVED that CAW’s application for the grant of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE APPROVED and CAW receive a warning letter regarding future conduct.