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 12 January, 2024 be agreed as a correct record, subject to Councillor J P Curtice’s apologies being recorded.

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 Service Manager detailed the background in respect of KM.

The Lead Lawyer referred to section 4.41 of the Policy.

KM explained the circumstances relating to the matter and answered Members questions.

Resolved that KM’s application for the Grant of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused.

Reason for Decision

The Committee questioned the Applicant’s safety and suitability to hold a license and noted the two offences is short succession.

The Applicant gave no exceptional circumstances or justifiable reason for them to depart from the Guidelines.

The Committee therefore Refuse the grant of a license.

The Team Leader – Licensing detailed the background in respect of AMB.

AMB, accompanied by JK, explained the circumstances relating to the matter and answered Members questions.

Resolved that AMB’s Restricted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence be revoked.

Reason for Decision

The Committee take this matter on its own merits of the discrepancy in the application process only.

The Committee did not accept the Applicant’s reasoning and questioned his level of knowledge.

The Committee had serious concerns regarding the Applicant’s suitability to hold a license.

The Committee found no exceptional circumstances or justifiable reasons to depart from the Guidelines.

The Committee determined to Revoke the Applicant’s license.