Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this Agenda.

The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the Code of Conduct in relation to items under discussions at this meeting –

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009 are confirmed as a correct record.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s Urgent Business.

The Committee will be provided with the results of the judgement on appeal cases that went to Court.

The Committee was informed that –

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on a licensed hackney carriage driver review of licence status.

The Committee having –

Resolved that Plymouth City Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy states at paragraph 14.2 that from November 2008, in addition to other requisite tests, applicants would be required to complete the Level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or equivalent within 12 months from the date of being first licenced.

In lieu of the above, Members considered Mr Roberts’ comments and the evidence before them and found that Mr Roberts remains a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage driver’s licence and no action would be taken against Mr Roberts’ licence today on the condition that he provides proof of placement on the Level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or equivalent to the Licensing Department within 14 days. Failure to provide this would result in Mr Roberts being brought back before this Committee at a future date.

Members also required Mr Roberts to complete the Level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or equivalent within 12 months of his renewal date of 7 December 2009.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009 are signed as a correct record.

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on a licensed driver review status of private hire driver and hackney carriage driver licence.

The Committee having –

The circumstances surrounding the caution gave the Committee cause for concern.

Resolved that considering all of the above a seven day suspension be imposed on SCW’s Private Hire driver’s licence. Members also required SCW to provide a medical certificate to the Licensing Department within 14 days. Members further requested that SCW would need to obtain the level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or an equivalent within 12 months from the date of first being licensed.

(Note: there is a confidential part to this minute)

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on a licensed private hire driver review of license status.

The Committee having –

The details contained in the letters gave the committee cause for concern.

Resolved to suspend PH's licence until such time as he can provide a medical certificate certifying that he complies with the Group II standard of medical and mental fitness and documentary evidence that the DVLA are satisfied that he has the capacity to have his driver’s licence returned.

(Note: there is a confidential part to this minute)

(Councillor Thompson left the meeting during this item)

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on the application for the grant of a private hire driver licence.

The Committee having –

Resolved that the application for a private hire driver’s licence is granted subject to the completion of the level 2 VRQ in transporting passengers by taxi and private hire or equivalent within 12 months from the date of being first licenced.

(Councillor Rennie declared a personal interest and left the room.)

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on the application for the grant of a private hire driver licence.

The Committee having –

Resolved that the application for a private hire driver’s licence is granted subject to the completion of the three prerequisite tests and the level 2 VRQ in transporting passengers by taxi and private hire or equivalent within 12 months from the date of being first licenced.

(Councillor Rennie declared a personal interest and left the room.)

The Director for Community Services will submit a report on the application for the grant of a private hire driver licence.

The Committee having –

Resolved that the application is refused as AP was not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver’s licence.

(Note: there is a confidential part to this minute)