Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J P Curtice, P Lloyd and T H Rees.

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 and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings:

·       General Licensing Committee – 13 May 2016;

·       General Licensing Sub-Committee – 18 May 2016;

·       General Licensing Committee – 19 May 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the:

a)    General Licensing Committee held on 13 May 2016;

b)    General Licensing Sub Committee held on 18 May 2016; and

c)     General Licensing Committee held on 19 May 2016

Be approved as correct records.

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 LS.

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

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

Reason for Decision

Members did not consider LS to be a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence as he had not satisfied the Council’s guidelines in relation to 3 years free from convictions.  Additionally, the convictions had occurred over a sustained period of time and were planned.

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

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

RESOLVED that TA’s hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence BE REVOKED.

Reason for Decision

Members did not consider TA to be a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence for the following reasons:

a)    TA had admitted driving a taxi when the offences were committed;

b)    TA had previously been issued with two warnings regarding future conduct, these had not been heeded;

c)     TA had failed to advise the Licensing Authority of the additional points; and

d)    The number of speeding offences resulting in 10 penalty points within 4 months, along with failure to notify indicate a disregard of obligations to comply with legal requirements.