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 28 November 2013.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 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.

With the permission of the Chair, the Licensing Officer reported three cases of cheating at the last Topographical Knowledge of Plymouth test, which resulted in the candidates involved being sent home. 

Mr Wildman, from the Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association (PLTA), also provided information to the Committee.

The Chair thanked the Licensing Officer and Mr Wildman for their information, and advised the Committee that he had recently participated in a meeting regarding these matters, and that further discussions on how to combat these problems were needed.

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 since the last meeting.

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 Mr Turi’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, subject to the satisfactory completion of the prerequisite qualifications, namely the Driving Standards test and Medical test.  The Committee further agreed to Mr Turi’s request for an exemption from the Topographical Knowledge of Plymouth test, in view of the fact that he only surrendered his original Private Hire Driver’s Licence in May 2011.

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.

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 WAF’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, subject to the satisfactory completion of the remaining prerequisite tests, namely the Driving Standards test and Medical test 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.

Due to IAO’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 DJG’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, subject to her 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 her. 

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 SPC’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence subject to him completing the remaining prerequisite test, namely the Driving Standards test 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 TST’s application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence subject to him completing the remaining prerequisite tests, namely the Driving Standards test and Topographical Knowledge of Plymouth test 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.