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 6 September 2012.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012 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.

There had been no new appeal cases reported since the last meeting.

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

The committee –

Mr Journeaux’s two breaches of licence conditions did not show a commitment to work with the licensing authority which was a relevant consideration in relation to the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder and protecting consumers.

The committee have serious concerns regarding the apparent disregard for public safety displayed  by Mr Journeaux and therefore agreed that it is proportionate to suspend his hackney carriage driver’s licence for a period of five days, one day for each breach and suspension notice subject to s19(1) (b) Plymouth City Council Act 1975.

The committee agreed to extend Mr Journeaux’s probationary period for a further 12 months after the licence renewal on 13 August 2012. Mr Journeaux’s probationary period will therefore be extended until 12 August 2013.

(Councillor Bowie left the room).

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

The committee -

Mr Marasescu’s failure to maintain his vehicle correctly had led to his vehicle being found to be defective and in some instances dangerous on four occasions.

In respect of Mr Marasescu’s licence and in accordance with s18 of Plymouth City Council Act 1975, the committee have agreed that it is a proportionate decision to suspend his vehicle licence number 1314 for two days.

In respect of Mr Marasescu’s private hire driver’s licence, the committee have serious concerns regarding the apparent disregard for public safety displayed by him and agreed that it is a proportionate to suspend his private hire driver’s licence for a period of three days subject to s19(1) (b) Plymouth City Council Act 1975.

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 100A(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 exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012 are confirmed as a correct record.

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

The committee -

The committee agreed to grant SPI’s application for a private hire driver’s licence and agreed to exempt SPI from the Driving Standards and Knowledge of Plymouth tests due to the fact that SPI’s licence had only lapsed this year.  SPI will be required to complete the VRQ driver qualification in ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire’ or its equivalent within the first 12 months of the licence being issued.

The Director for Place will submit a report on an application for the grant of a restricted private hire driver’s licence.

The committee -

The committee agreed to grant MGG’s application for a restricted private hire driver’s licence subject to the satisfactory completion of the VRQ driver qualification in ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire’ or its equivalent within the first 12 months of this licence being issued.

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

The committee –

The committee agreed to grant AFB’s application for a private hire driver’s licence subject to the satisfactory completion of the VRQ driver qualification in ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire’ or its equivalent within the first 12 months of the licence being issued.

(Councillor Bowie returned to the room and was present for the remaining items on the agenda).

With the permission of the Chair, the order of business on the agenda was amended, as set out below in the minutes.

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

The committee –

The committee agreed to grant MM’s application for a hackney carriage driver’s licence subject to the satisfactory completion of the remaining pre-requisite tests, namely the Knowledge of Plymouth test, Driving Standards test and DVLA Group II Medical Certificate and the completion of the VRQ level II driver qualification in ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire’ or equivalent within the first 12 months of the licence being issued.

The Director for Place will submit a report on the application for the grant of a hackney carriage driver’s licence.

The committee –

The committee agreed to adjourn the hearing until the next available committee, in order to enable BLS to arrange for legal representation.

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

The committee –

The committee agreed to grant PMI’s application for a private hire driver’s licence subject to him satisfactorily completing the Driving Standards test and DVLA Group II Medical Certificate but will exempt him from the Knowledge of Plymouth test.

The committee further agreed that PMI will be required to produce a copy of his completed VRQ driver qualification in ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi or Private Hire’, to the licensing office within the next seven days.  Failure to produce this document by 1 November 2012 will result in him being recalled to the next available Taxi Licensing Committee where all possible sanctions against his licence will be considered.

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

Due to CRW’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.