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.

Councillor Jarvis declared a personal interest part way through the meeting because he knew the representative for NW.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 are confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Rennie expressed his concern regarding the effect the Deregulation Bill could have on the taxi trade.  Following a discussion, the Licensing Officer advised the Committee that Clause 10, which proposed to deregulate taxis, was dropped from the Deregulation Bill on 14 October 2014.

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 new appeal case since the last meeting where the committee’s decision had been upheld by the court.

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 1 Schedule 12a of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014.

Agreed that the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 are confirmed as a correct record.

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

The committee –

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

(Councillor Jarvis declared a personal interest in respect of this item)

The Director of Public Health will submit a report on a private hire driver’s review of licence status.

The committee agreed to adjourn this case to the next committee hearing as AP did not attend.  A letter is to be sent to AP advising him that the matter will be dealt with at the next committee and if he fails to attend the matter will be dealt with in his absence.

The Director of Public Health will submit a report on a private hire driver’s review of licence status.

DPT failed to attend and due to the serious nature of the matters detailed in the report the committee initially agreed to hear the matter in DPT’s absence. 

However, after discussing the issues further members agreed to adjourn the matter until the next committee date in order for DPT to answer their questions.

A letter is to be sent to DPT advising him of the adjournment, that committee had originally been minded to deal with the matter in his absence due to its serious nature, that he is required to attend the next committee to answer members’ questions, that attendance at committee will be his opportunity to explain the issues raised in the report, and that if he does not attend the matter will be dealt with in his absence meaning that members will only be able to take account of the information provided in the report.