Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed the Licence Holder to the meeting and introductions were made.
The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services that requested Members to consider and determine the suitability of the Licence Holder to continue to be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Driver (for copy see file of minutes).
The Licensing Enforcement Officer was in attendance and took Members through the Enforcement Report and circulated a copy of the transcript of the text messages as the copy circulated with the papers were illegible.
Members also heard from the Witness who presented his statement.
Members and the Licence Holder were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Enforcement Officer and the Witness.
The Licence Holder was invited to address the Sub-Committee and respond to questions from Members.
Representatives from Durham Constabulary were in attendance and provided background information in respect of the items outlined in the report. Members and the Licence Holder were given the opportunity to ask questions.
All parties were invited to sum up then the Sub-Committee retired to deliberate the application in private at 4.10 pm. After re-convening at 4.30 pm the Chairman delivered the Sub-Committee’s decision.
Resolved: That the Licence Holder’s Hackney Carriage Driver Licence be revoked with immediate effect as he was not considered to be a fit and proper person.
The Applicant refused to leave the meeting following the decision and was asked to, and escorted from the room by the Police Sergeant and Police Constable who were in attendance at the meeting.