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 30 May 2013.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2013 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 no new appeal cases heard since the last meeting.

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

The committee –

However, members were concerned that –

The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licensing Policy states that motoring offences are relevant offences for considering the suitability of a person to retain a licence.

In addition the Plymouth City Council Act 1975 enables the Council to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the licence of a driver of a Private Hire vehicle for any other reasonable cause.

It is apparent from Mrs Stevens’ actions and her comments today that she knowingly drove an uninsured vehicle in order to protect customer bookings and because of her financial concerns. However, by doing so, she drove many unwitting people considerable distances in an uninsured vehicle.

Members consider that as Mrs Stevens is an experienced restricted Private Hire driver she should have regard to the rules of the road at all times. Plymouth City Council is charged with protecting the safety of the public and Mrs Stevens driving offence gives rise to concerns. They have decided that it is a proportionate decision to suspend Mrs Stevens licence for three days.

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

The committee –

The committee agreed after careful consideration, that in order to reach a fully informed and just decision, further documentation from Vosper’s is required to clarify and support the arguments heard today.

Members have therefore elected to adjourn this hearing until the next available Committee 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 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 Schedule 12a of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2013.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2013 are confirmed as a correct record.

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

The committee –

However, members were concerned that –

The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licensing Policy states that motoring offences are relevant offences for considering the suitability of a person to retain a licence.

In addition the Plymouth City Council Act 1975 enables the Council to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the licence of a driver of a Private Hire vehicle for any other reasonable cause.

Plymouth City Council’s priority is protecting the safety of the public. LMT’s convictions and fixed penalty points for repeated speeding and failure to comply with traffic signals indicates a disregard for the rules of the road and the safety and comfort of his passengers and the general public, giving rise to serious concerns.

Members have therefore decided today to give LMT a final severe warning in respect of his driving.

The Taxi Licensing Committee has the discretion to direct a driver appearing before them to complete further training or retraining, should the driver’s suitability to retain a licence be called into question, Members direct that LMT be required to re-sit the drivers standards test within seven working days of the return of his licence and attend at the Licensing Department when this has been attained. Should this test not be completed by that time LMT will be brought back before the Committee and all 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 PAK’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.

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

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