Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors David Dickinson, Lennox and E Smith.

Members of the Committee are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the Council Chamber and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

The under mentioned Member declared a personal/prejudicial interest in relation to the report indicated below on the meeting’s agenda for consideration.

Councillor Walker – Item 9 – Application for Licence to Drive Hackney Carriages/Private Hire Vehicles within the Borough of Chorley – Mr TJK.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 12 October and 2 November 2005 (Special Meeting)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 12 October 2005 and 2 November 2005 (Special Meeting) be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal Services on the various licences and permits issued and the registrations affected by the Licensing Section since the last ordinary meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Director of Legal Services submitted a report bringing the attention of Members to an incident involving a licensed private hire driver Mr KS which had resulted in him receiving a Police caution.

The report set out the background to the incident with the driver and his legal representative present putting forward representations in support, with the Committee carefully considering the representations made.

RESOLVED – That although the behaviour of the driver fell below what is expected of a licensed private hire driver on this occasion he should be allowed to continue as a private hire driver but be given a severe warning that will be noted on his record.

Report of Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Director of Legal Services submitted a report on an application for a private hire operators licence following a number of issues had caused the matter to be referred to the Committee.

The report set out the background to the application and the history behind the taxi operation.

The Committee received representations from the applicant, through an interpreter, and his legal representative, giving reasons why he should be the licensed operator of the firm.

RESOLVED – That after careful consideration the Committee agreed to grant the Licence on a six month probationary period with the standard conditions being translated and submitted to the applicant.

Report of Director of Legal Services (enclosed)

The Director of Legal Services submitted a report requesting the Committee to determine an application for a licence to drive a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire vehicle following a Criminal Records check had revealed information that would determine that the grant of the licence would only be made following deliberations of this Committee.

The applicant along with his father attended the meeting to put forward representation in support of his application and the Committee carefully considered the representations made.

RESOLVED – That a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence be granted to Mr TJK for a six month probationary period.

(Councillor Walker declared an interest in the above item and left the room during the decision and voting).