Agenda, decisions 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 9 July and 27 August, 2021 be agreed as a correct records.

The Licensing Team Leader presented a ‘for information’ report which detailed the new statutory standards for taxi and private hire services which have been issued under the provisions of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and published by the Department for Transport (DfT). Details on the recommendations published by Welsh Government were also provided and it is proposed that the standards contained in this documentation would be used to develop a new Statement of Principles for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing for the Authority.

Members’ asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that documents would be forwarded to Members for information.

The Licensing Team Leader and Licensing Officer presented a ‘for information’ report to inform Members of the proposed use of the National Register of Taxi Refusals and Revocations (NR3).

Members’ asked questions of the Officers who responded accordingly.

The Chair and Members expressed their gratitude to the Licensing Team for their hard work during the challenges associated with the COVID 19 Pandemic.

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 Associate Lawyer presented, for information, a report detailing the results of an appeal.

The Licensing Team Leader presented the background information in respect of AMS.

Members’ asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

AMS explained the circumstances relating to the conviction and answered Members’ questions.

Resolved that AMS’s application for a Restricted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be approved and AMS receive a warning letter regarding future conduct.

The Licensing Officer presented the background information in respect of CRH.

Members’ asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

CRH, accompanied by DR and NT explained the circumstances relating to the offences and answered Members’ questions.

Resolved that CRH’s application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused.

Reason for Decision

CRH did not satisfy Members that he was a fit, proper, safe and suitable to hold a licence under sections 3.27, 3.28, 3.29, 3.30, 3.31 and 3.34 of the guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades.

The Transport Officer detailed the background details in respect of SCN.

SCN confirmed he had not received copies of the papers being considered at the meeting.

Resolved that the matter be deferred.