Agenda item

Wayne Jones introduced this report of an application by OMM to renew a Private Hire Driver Licence.

He explained the following:

·       OMM was granted a Private Hire Driver’s licence on 24 August 2020, and his

current licence is due to expire on 23 August 2022. He referred to the supplementary report which indicated that OMM had recently submitted an application to renew the licence.

·       OMM also holds a Private Hire Vehicle licence since 11 September 2020, and this licence is due to expire on 27 November 2022.

·       On 16th June 2022, an email was received at the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team (NET) by the Taxi Compliance Officer, PC Quinton, raising concerns about the “Fit and Proper” status of OM to hold a Private Hire Driver and Vehicle Licenses. PC Quinton informed the NET of several

motoring issues regarding the licensed vehicle for which OMM is the proprietor

Patrick Quinton addressed the meeting and pointed out that there had been a series of speeding offences carried out either by OMM or by AR who had been nominated by him to drive the car on his behalf. He explained that the driver had failed to provide appropriate identification when required to do so  and may have conspired to pervert the course of justice.

The Sub-Committee noted that once an individual was granted a licence, they were responsible for it.

In addressing the meeting, OMM explained that COVID had badly affected his financial situation since taxiing was his livelihood. Since he knew AR, he had rented his car to him to enable him to support his family. Unfortunately, AR had now stopped contact with OMM. OMM had also requested a freeze on some of his car payments. He had never committed a crime before and needed to feed his family. He requested that the Sub-Committee show leniency for his situation.

Councillor Richard Eddy reminded OMM that the primary purpose of this Sub-Committee is to protect and prevent harm to the public and  was unable to Can’t take into account economic circumstances. Whilst it was appreciated that the COVID era has been stressful to the taxi sector, this was the same for other areas and not a unique pressure.

In responding to questions from the Sub-Committee and Licensing Policy Adviser, OMM confirmed the following:

·       OMM was driving for the offence on April 2022

·       OMM had continued to rent his vehicle to AR despite AR having been convicted of failing to provide documents for an offence in July 2021

·       OMM could not remember whether or not he was driving the vehicle for offences on 1^st June 2021, 13^th June 2021 and 12^th July 2021. However, it was noted that it was likely he was since Uber identification was usually required before he would be able to use the vehicle

·       OMM acknowledged that it was wrong to rent his vehicle to an unlicensed driver but needed to pay bills to support his family

Councillor Eddy then requested that all parties withdraw to enable the Sub-Committee to make its deliberations on this issue.

Upon their return, he confirmed the Sub-Committee’s decision as set out below:

RESOLVED – that the Sub-Committee believes that OMM is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence and is therefore revoking both his existing licences and rejecting his request for a renewal of his Private Hire Driver Licence.