Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda items 7 - 11 that are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), as they contain ‘information relating to an individual’

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Items 7-11 to prevent the disclosure of information relating to an individual as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair to the appellant and would breach their data protection principles.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial

Councillor                  Interest

Sylvia Humphreys   Agenda Item 11 – ‘Case Number P1713’ as she knew the                              driver.  Councillor Humphreys left the meeting during

                                    consideration of this item and took no part in the

                                    subsequent discussion and decision.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that the Corporate Director, in consultation with the Chair, had taken urgent action to suspend 14 hire car drivers’ licences.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided.  These are available at the meeting).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides Members of the Committee with details of the project to implement minimum standards for taxi licensing across Greater Manchester and requests permission to consult on the minimum standards.

The Committee is requested to note the ongoing work across Greater Manchester with regards to minimum standards and to provide permission to consult once finalised.

Officer contact:  Ian O’Donnell tel: 474 4175 or email: ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Members of the Committee with details of the project to implement minimum standards for taxi licensing across Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED (1) That the report relating to the ongoing work across Greater Manchester be noted.

(2) The Committee provided permission for consultation to take place once the ongoing work had been finalised.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report informs Members of a new applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire driver’s licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car driver’s licence in view of the applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report provides details of an existing driver’s recent conduct.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the driver remains a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or Email: ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the driver remained a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

The Committee interviewed the driver, who was accompanied by his solicitor, in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – (6 in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions) that the driver be suspended for a period of 6 months on the basis that the Committee was not satisfied with the driver’s explanation as to why he did not report two accidents to the Licensing Department.  The Committee considered that this could have been an attempt to avoid any action being taken against the driver’s licence and were not satisfied that the driver had been entirely open with the Committee regarding the circumstances surrounding these incidents.  The Committee therefore concluded that a suspension of the driver’s licence for a period of six months was a reasonable response in this instance.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report details a new applicant’s previous conviction.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or Email: Ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car driver’s licence in view of the applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a new applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or Email: Ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car driver’s licence in view of the applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a new applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or Email: Ian.o’donnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car driver’s licence in view of the applicant’s previous convictions.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.