Agenda and minutes

It was noted that Councillor T Matthews was substituting for Councillor D Sunger.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct.

To note the adopted procedure for the conduct of business by the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business and the Terms of Reference.

Exclusion: To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information. Any member who considers that this test should be applied to any currently exempted matter on this agenda should contact the proper officer at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Background Papers:  Article 17 - Access to Information, Procedure Rules of the Constitution define background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)        disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)        have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report and does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

The Council will make available for public inspection for four years after the date of the meeting one copy of each of the documents on the list of background papers.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or were confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

To consider a new application for a Hackney Carriage Drivers' Licence.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence from Mr S Allen. The three councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Keska (Chairman), M Sartin and J M Whitehouse. Members noted that officers did not have delegated authority to determine this and, as a result, the application had to be considered by the Sub-Committee.

The Chairman welcomed the applicant and introduced the members and officers present. The Licensing Compliance Officer, D Houghton informed the Sub-Committee of the circumstances under which the licence could not be dealt with under delegated authority.

The applicant made a short statement in support of his application before answering a number of questions from members of the Sub-Committee. The Chairman requested that everyone, except the Licensing Sub-Committee members and advising officers left the chamber whilst they considered the application.

The Chairman invited the applicant and Licensing Officer back into the chamber and informed the applicant of the Sub-Committee’s decision.

The Chairman advised that during their deliberations in private session they had received no advice from officers whilst determining the application.

            RESOLVED:

That the application for Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence be granted, subject to the applicant passing the Council’s knowledge test.

To consider a new application for a Hackney Carriage Drivers' Licence.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence from Mr E Ajayi. The three councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Keska (Chairman), T Matthews and J M Whitehouse. Members noted that officers did not have delegated authority to determine this and, as a result, the application had to be considered by the Sub-Committee.

The Chairman welcomed the applicant and introduced the members and officers present. The Licensing Compliance Officer, D Houghton informed the Sub-Committee of the circumstances under which the licence could not be dealt with under delegated authority.

The applicant made a short statement in support of his application before answering a number of questions from members of the Sub-Committee. The Chairman requested that everyone, except the Licensing Sub-Committee members and advising officers left the chamber whilst they considered the application.

The Chairman invited the applicant and Licensing Officer back into the chamber and informed the applicant of the Sub-Committee’s decision.

The Chairman advised that during their deliberations in private session they had received no advice from officers whilst determining the application.

            RESOLVED:

That the application for Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence be granted, subject to the applicant passing the Council’s knowledge test.

To consider a new application for a Private Hire Drivers' Licence.

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant could not attend this meeting and so deferred this item to a future meeting.

To invite the public and press back into the meeting for the remaining items of business.

RESOLVED:

That the public and press be invited back into the meeting for the remaining items of business.