Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

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

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.

Confidential Items Commencement: Paragraph 9 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require:

(1)        All business of the Council requiring to be transacted in the presence of the press and public to be completed by 10.00 p.m. at the latest.

(2)        At the time appointed under (1) above, the Chairman shall permit the completion of debate on any item still under consideration, and at his or her discretion, any other remaining business whereupon the Council shall proceed to exclude the public and press.

(3)        Any public business remaining to be dealt with shall be deferred until after the completion of the private part of the meeting, including items submitted for report rather than decision.

Background Papers:  Paragraph 8 of the 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 (as defined in Rule 10) and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

Inspection of background papers may be arranged by contacting the officer responsible for the item.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below as it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (a) of the Act indicated and the exemption is considered to outweigh the potential public interest in disclosing the information:

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new Personal Licence for Mr Hodges. The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors A Boyce, L Leonard and Mrs M Sartin. Members noted officers did not have delegated powers to grant this application 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. Peter Jones was also in attendance for Essex Police.

The applicant read a prepared statement and provided the Sub-Committee with three character references. The Sub-Committee asked the applicant a number of questions. The objections were then put forward by P Jones, Essex Police.

The applicant then made a short closing statement to the Sub-Committee before they  left the Chamber to the debated this application in private. The Sub-Committee returned to the Chamber and informed him of the Sub-Committee decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Personal Licence for Mr Hodges be granted subject to the Council’s standard terms and conditions.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee considered an existing driver application by Mr Askem for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence. The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors A Boyce, P Spencer and L Leonard. Members noted officers did not have delegated powers to grant this application 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 Assistant Director of Corporate Support Services (Legal) informed the Sub-Committee of the circumstances by which the licence could not be issued under delegated authority.

The applicant then made a short closing statement to the Sub-Committee before the Chairman requested that the applicant leave the Chamber whilst the Sub-Committee debated this application in private. The Chairman invited the applicant back into the Chamber and informed him of the Sub-Committee decision.

RESOLVED:

That the Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence for Mr Askem be renewed, subject to the Council’s standard terms and conditions.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee was advised that Mr Khan had requested that his application be deferred. The Sub-Committee agreed that his application be deferred to the next suitable meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Driver’s Licence for Mr Khan be deferred to the next suitable meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

(Director of Corporate Support Services ) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee considered an existing driver application by Mr Azizi for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence. The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors A Boyce, P Spencer and Mrs M Sartin. Members noted officers did not have delegated powers to grant this application 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 Assistant Director of Corporate Support Services (Legal) informed the Sub-Committee of the circumstances by which the licence could not be issued under delegated authority.

The applicant then made a short closing statement to the Sub-Committee before they  left the Chamber to the debated this application in private. The Sub-Committee returned to the Chamber and informed him of the Sub-Committee decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence for Mr Azizi be adjourned to allow the applicant to produced the following evidence in support of his application;

(a)   That the applicant provides proof of his ability to obtain car insurance;

(b)   That the applicant provides proof of his ability to get a suitable vehicle;

(c)   That the applicant  provides written confirmation of a job offer;

(d)   That the applicant provides character reference; and

(e)   That the applicant provides proof of membership of clubs or community work.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the application for Mr G Torun should be deferred, due to  the EFDC Website conveying information about cancelled meetings on the day of the Licensing Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee agreed that his application be deferred to the next suitable meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Driver’s Licence for Mr G Toran be deferred to the next suitable meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the application for Mr S Chowdhury should be deferred, due to  the EFDC Website conveying information about cancelled meetings on the day of the Licensing Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee agreed that his application be deferred to the next suitable meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Driver’s Licence for Mr S Chowdhury be deferred to the next suitable meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee was advised that Mr Hedges had requested that his application be deferred for personal reasons. The Sub-Committee agreed that his application be deferred to the next suitable meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Driver’s Licence for Mr Hedges be deferred to the next suitable meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.