Agenda and minutes

Councillor Pickering was appointed as Chair.

The Chair welcomed those present and led on introductions.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee held on 12 September 2025 are attached, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th September 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended, and consequently that the Sub-Committee makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it was considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 1

Information relating to an individual.

Paragraph 2

Information that is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

Paragraph 7

Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report.

This report is restricted under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Director, Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, submitted a report concerning the determination of continued entitlement to retain a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

The Driver and his translator, Ms. Toor, was present at the meeting. The Licensing Enforcement Officer and Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee were also present.

The Licensing Team Manager outlined the details of the application, including the relevant City Council Policy Guidelines and drew Members’ attention to the conviction in the report.

The driver explained the background to the conviction and answered questions from Members.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee in the presence of all those present and were advised of the options available to them in making their decision.

The Sub-Committee were also advised of the relevant policy and statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision,

In reaching their decision, Members felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest, and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The Chair announced that full reasons for the decision would be publicly announced and confirmed in writing within five working days. The Chair informed the meeting that the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee would be called back to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Sub-Committee and Democratic Support Officers to withdraw from the meeting. Members then deliberated in private to consider their decision.

In reaching their decision the Sub-Committee Members had carefully considered the written report presented by the Licensing Team Manager. The Members had also considered the representations made by the driver and the legal advice given to them during the hearing.

The Sub-Committee recalled the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee to give advice on the wording of the decision.

RESOLVED:

that the driver be allowed to retain his Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence and be issued with a warning.

The driver would be provided with the reasons for the decision in writing within five working days.

All parties would be advised of the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates Court.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report.

This report is restricted under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Director, Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, submitted a report concerning the determination of continued entitlement to retain a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.

The driverwas present at the meeting. The Licensing Team Manager and Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee were also present.

It was noted that the driver’s translator was no longer able to attend.

Following discussion amongst Members of the panel, it was agreed that, in the interest of fairness, the application be adjourned to be reconvened on 27^th January 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the application be adjourned to the next meeting of the Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee being held on 27^th January 2026.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 11:14am.