Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No declarations of any interest were declared.

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 1 of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Director of People and Places (enclosed)

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Places in the presence of a driver and his representatives and the complainants and their representative’s, to consider whether the driver was a fit an proper person to continue to hold a Chorley Borough Council Private Hire Drivers Licence following a complaint dated 21 January 2013 received by the Council.

The Sub Committee maintained that it was right and proper to defer the decision from the first hearing on 6 March 2013 as Members required full and clear facts from both parties to permit the Sub Committee to reach a reasonable and fair decision.

Members carefully considered all the facts brought to their attention both verbally and written and determined that it was obvious that there had been a confrontation between the driver and the complainants and there had been an altercation on both parts.

The Sub Committee recognised that it is not always the fault of the taxi driver and they appreciate it can be difficult for taxi drivers late at night. However it is for the operator’s and the drivers to deliver good and proper customer care and service in the best interests of the public.

The Sub Committee acknowledged the driver had previous taxi driving experience of 26 years and numerous good character references which were submitted in support of the driver’s suitability of being a fit and proper person.

Taking into account all the information provided to the Sub Committee the Members were of the view that the driver was not a risk to the general public and RESOLVED that no further action should be taken against his licence.