Minutes:
Agenda Item No. 9
The Chairman welcomed the Licence Holder to the meeting and introductions were made.
Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services which requested the Sub-Committee to consider and determine the ongoing suspension of the Licence Holder to continue to be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Driver (for copy see file of minutes).
Supplementary information from the Licensing Enforcement Team had been circulated to all parties prior to the meeting.
L Cloney, Licensing Enforcement Team Leader presented the report and indicated that no response had been received from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in relation to the supplementary information.
S Buston the Council’s Solicitor indicated that Members needed to decide if they were happy to proceed without the response from the Local Authority Designated Officer.
At this point the Licence Holder indicated that he was happy to proceed with the hearing today. Members were asked if they were happy to proceed.
Councillor E Bell indicated that he was not comfortable continuing and withdrew from the meeting.
The remaining members agreed to proceed but there disappointment in not receiving a response from the Local Authority Designated Officer be noted.
L Cloney continued with her presentation in relation to the supplementary information. The Licence Holder and Members were given an opportunity to ask questions.
A representative from Durham Constabulary provided background information in respect of the matters detailed in the report and indicated that Durham Constabulary had concerns of the future conduct of the Licence Holder but had no objection to the continuation of the Hackney Carriage Driver Licence.
The Licence Holder addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions from Members.
The Sub-Committee retired to deliberate the application in private at 5.00 pm. After reconvening at 5.10 pm, the Chair delivered the Sub-Committee’s decision.
Resolved:
That the Licence Holder’s suspension be lifted but he be issued with a written warning for a 12 month period.