Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received by Councillors T Bedford, H Caunce and T McGowan.

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.

Councillor H Khan translated for the Hackney Carriage Driver YD (DOB 01.06.58) but left the meeting during the discussion and voting on the proposal

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 grounds 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.

Report Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services (enclosed)

(Councillor H Khan translated for the Hackney Carriage Driver Mr YD (DOB 01/06/58) but left the meeting during the discussions and voting on the proposal).

The Committee received a report of the Customer, Democratic and Legal Services bringing Members attention to a complaint that had been made against a Hackney Carriage driver Mr YD (DOB 01/06/58).

Members were being asked to consider the allegations and to determine whether or not he was considered to be a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage driver’s licence.

The complainant, along with her friend, who was present when the alleged incident took place, attended the meeting to give their representations of the event.

The licensed Hackney Carriage driver, attended the meeting to put forward his explanation, and the Committee carefully considered the representations that he made.

RESOLVED – That the Hackney Carriage Driver Mr YD (DOB 01/06/58) be suspended for 28 days on the grounds of any other reasonable cause (Section 61(1)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. and that such a suspension only to be lifted upon Mr YD (DOB 01/06/58) successfully completing a DSA hackney carriage/private hire assessment.

Report of Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services requesting the Committee to consider an application for a licence to drive Hackney Carriage/Private Vehicles within the Borough of Chorley.

The report indicated that the applicant’s driving licence stated that he had held a full licence since March 2005 and that applicants should be over 21 years of age and have three years driving experience as the holder of a full driving licence.

Enquiries made had revealed that the applicant had no driving convictions on his driving licence and a Criminal Record Bureau check had revealed that there were no previous convictions.

The applicant accompanied by his prospective employer attended the meeting to put forward representations in respect of his application and the Committee carefully considered the representations made.

RESOLVED – That a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence be granted to Mr PS (DOB 10/09/72)

Report of Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services to consider an application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire vehicle driver’s licence. Information received from the Criminal Records Bureau had revealed information that would need to be assessed by the Committee before determining the application.

The report also indicated that the applicant’s driving licence stated that he had held a licence since November 2005 and that applicants should be over 21 years of age and have three years driving experience as the holder of a full driving licence.

The report set out the background to the application and the history behind the incident that resulted in the applicant receiving a conviction.

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

RESOLVED – That a Hackney Carriage/Private Drivers Licence be granted to Mr ARH (DOB 26/10/82)

RESOLVED – That the press and public be included for the remainder of the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 22 November 2006 (enclosed)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee held on 22 November 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive the minutes of the Licensing Liaison Panel held on 27 November 2006 (enclosed)

The Committee received the minutes of the Licensing Liaison Panel held on 27 November 2006.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.

Report of Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services (enclosed)

The Committee received a report of the Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services asking Members to approve a selection procedure for the issue of seven additional hackney carriage licences following the criteria that had been amended at the last Committee meeting.

For the interview stage of selection it was suggested that this Committee appointed a smaller Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED – 1.      That a Sub-Committee be appointed and that the Membership be as follows:

• 1 Disability Forum Representative
• Councillor Mrs I smith
• Councillor E Smith
• Councillor R Snape
• Howard Bee – Licensing Manager
• Keith Odgen – Licensing Enforcement Officer
• Gordon Bankes – Democratic Services Officer

2.         That the procedure set out in the report be approved.

Director of Customer, Democratic and Legal Services (enclosed)

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

The Licensing Enforcement Officer updated Members on the present situation regarding the vehicle check sheets that Chorley Private Hire had been ordered to complete.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.