The committee agreed to appoint Councillor Mrs Nicholson as Vice Chair for this particular meeting.

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

In accordance with the code of conduct Councillor Rennie declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 107.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2012.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 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.

The committee was advised that there had been one appeal which had been upheld by the Magistrates Court.

The Director for Place will submit a report on the Cornwall Street Rank Review.

The Director for Place submitted a report on the Cornwall Street rank review which highlighted the following main areas –

The committee raised concerns that –

The committee agreed that the report and the committee’s concerns are submitted to the Portfolio Holder for consideration and that the Portfolio Holder consults with the trade regarding this matter.

(Please note: that during this agenda item there was a short adjournment for a fire alarm).

The Director for Place will submit a report on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fees.

The Director for Place submitted a report on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fees, which included the following main areas –

The committee agreed that the new fee structure, as set out in appendix 1 of the report, will be advertised in accordance with statutory requirements and a period of 21 days will be given for objections.

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

The committee -

Mr Doney’s failure to maintain his vehicle correctly had led to his vehicle being found to be defective. In respect of his vehicle licence 336 and in accordance with Section18 of the Plymouth City Council Act 1975, the committee agreed that it is a proportionate decision to require Mr Doney to present his vehicle for testing every three months for the next 12 months. Mr Doney must present his vehicle to the Licensing department by the end of April 2013, July 2013, October 2013 and January 2014 or face being brought before the committee for further sanctions including the possible revocation of the vehicle licence.

In respect of Mr Doney’s private hire driver’s licence, the committee has serious concerns regarding the apparent disregard for public safety displayed by him, the committee agreed that it is a proportionate decision to suspend his private hire driver licence for a period of three days subject to S19(1) (b) of the Plymouth City Council Act, 1975.

The committee agreed that Mr Doney should complete the VRQ driver qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire, or equivalent within the next 12 months. If he had not completed this qualification by 23 January 2014, he may be brought back before the committee to face further sanctions.

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

The committee –

Mr Marasescu’s case, in respect of his latest vehicle offences, was shortly due to be heard at Court. The committee agreed to wait until the result of that case, so that they could make a fully informed decision in respect of Mr Marasescu’s vehicle and private hire driver’s licence.

(Councillors Mrs Nicholson and Ricketts were not present for the remaining items on the agenda).

The committee agreed that Councillor Mrs Foster is appointed as Vice Chair for this particular meeting.

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 to exclude the press and public form 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 20 December 2012.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 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 SD’s application for a private hire driver’s licence subject to him satisfactorily completing all the pre requisite tests and completing the VRQ driver qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire, or equivalent within the first 12 months of the grant of this licence.

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

The committee –

Having taken the above into account the committee agreed to refuse the grant of DCS’s application for a private hire driver’s licence, as he is not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

(Please note: there is a confidential part to this minute).

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 JB’s application for a private hire driver’s licence subject to him satisfactorily completing all the pre requisite tests and completing the VRQ driver qualification in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire, or equivalent within the first 12 months of the grant of this licence.

(Councillor Rennie declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter and left the room).