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

There were no declarations of interest made by Members in accordance with the code of conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 and 18 March 2010.

Resolved that the minutes of the meetings held on 11 and 18 March 2010 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 council successfully opposed the appeal against the revocation of a private hire driver’s licence heard at the magistrate’s court on 15 March 2010. The applicant had now lodged an appeal to the Crown Court.

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

The Committee having –

However, Members were concerned that as Mr Liska was a private hire driver he should adhere to the rules of the road at all times. He breached the terms of his private hire drivers licence by not informing the licensing department of his conviction in writing with the requisite 7 days. He did not contact them until 4 January 2010 some 6 weeks later.

The decision of the Committee is that Members consider that as Mr Liska was a licensed private hire driver he should have regard to the rules of the road at all times and that it was irresponsible to be driving without insurance.

In addition he breached the conditions of his private hire driver’s licence by not informing the licensing department of his conviction by the appropriate time. However, they accepted his explanation that he was unaware that the policy had been invalidated and therefore resolved that it was proportionate to suspend Mr Liska’s private hire driver’s licence for three days.

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

The Committee having –

However, Members were concerned that Plymouth City Council’s taxi policy aimed to provide safe regulated transport and recognised both the needs of residents and visitors for safe, healthy, convenient and effective taxi transport.

MrTregea had a history of alleged and proven disregard for the health, safety and comfort of his customers. Since June 2006 he had received four letters of complaint from the public, a warning letter, two fixed penalty notices and a conviction in respect of his continual smoking in his hackney carriage, refusing to take wheelchair bound passengers to their destination and poor customer service.

The decision of the Committee is therefore that Members have considered Mr Tregea’s version of the events which had led to his attendance at the committee.

The objectives of the hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licensing policy include the safety and health of drivers and the public and also vehicle safety, comfort and access. Mr Tregea’s history of alleged and proven offences and poor customer care, breaches the laws relating to the use of licensed vehicles and in respect of his repeated smoking in his cab breaks the law on each occasion.

It was resolved to revoke Mr Tregea’s licence finding him no longer a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage drivers licence.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

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

The Committee having –

Resolved to send a further request via recorded delivery to ensure AP’s attendance at the next available committee so that they could question him in respect of his offences in order to reach an informed decision.

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

The Committee having –

Resolved that the application to grant a private hire driver’s licence be granted subject to the completion of Level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or equivalent qualification within 12 months from the date of first being licensed.

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

The Committee having –

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

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

The committee having –

Resolved that the restricted private hire driver’s licence is granted subject to the completion of the pre-requisite tests and the completion of Level 2 VRQ in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire or equivalent qualification within 12 months of being licensed.

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

Due to AC’s non attendance at Committee members have resolved that his application be held on file until such time as he contacts the licensing department.

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