The Committee will note that Councillor Reynolds was appointed Chair and Councillor Delbridge was appointed Vice-Chair at the Council’s AGM held on 20 May 2011.

The Committee noted the appointment of Councillor Reynolds as Chair and Councillor Delbridge as Vice Chair.

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 councillors in accordance with the code of conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2011.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2011 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 advised that there were no new appeal cases since the last meeting.

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

The Committee having –

Agreed that a letter be sent to Mr Ede by recorded delivery inviting him to attend the next available hearing and warning him that if he did not attend the committee may here the matter is his absence.

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

The committee having –

However, members were concerned that –

Agreed that the failure to report convictions did not indicate a willingness to work with the licensing authority and this was a relevant consideration under the Council’s licensing objective of prevention of crime and disorder and protection of consumers and therefore Mr Giles’ private hire driver’s licence would be suspended for a period of two days under the provisions of section 19(1)(b) of the Plymouth City Council Act 1975.

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 –

Agreed that Mr Damarell’s driving record and attitude to controlling his speed and disregard for the rules of the road raised serious concerns for public safety which is a relevant consideration under the Council’s licensing objective of safety and health of drivers and the public. Therefore Mr Damarell’s fitness to drive a licensed vehicle was called into question and his licence would be suspended for a  period of three days in accordance with section 19(1)(b) Plymouth City Council Act 1975 as he had paid no regard to the warning letters previously sent to him. In addition Mr Damarell is required to re take his taxi driving standards test within three months to address his standard of driving in accordance with paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s licensing policy.

(Councillor Bowie was present for the following items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14)

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

The committee having –

Agreed that having taken into account all of the above no action would be taken against Mr Stefan’s licence on this occasion but that a warning letter would be sent to him and would remain on file and be brought to committee’s attention if he appeared before them again.

(Councillor Mrs Dolan left the meeting at the end of this item and was not present for items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14)

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.

Agreed that under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public are excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of confidential/exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 and 7 of Part 1 Schedule 12A of the (Local Government Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2011.

Agreed that the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2011 are confirmed as a correct record.

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

The committee having –

Due to LP’s dispute over the content within the report the Committee agreed to adjourn the hearing until the next available committee date in order to seek further clarity on the content of the report as they wanted to be sure the information contained in the report was accurate so as to ensure the committee are able to make an informed and accurate 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 –

Agreed that the application for a private hire driver’s licence is granted subject to the satisfactory completion of the pre requisite tests, namely the medical test, the driving test and knowledge of Plymouth test. In addition as with all new drivers, DRC is required to complete the VRQ qualification in ‘transporting passengers by taxi and private hire’ or equivalent within the first 12 months of his licence.

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

Due to SMH’s non attendance at Committee, Members agreed that his application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver’s Licence is held on file until such time as he contacts the licensing department.