Agenda and minutes

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda items 6 and 7 that are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), as they contain ‘information relating to an individual’.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be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 5 and 6 to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual as defined in Category 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the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 applicant 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 interest which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 had not taken any urgent actions since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – To note that no urgent decisions had been taken.

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 Committee is requested to determine the application for the renewal of a Private Hire Operators Licence.  The current licence expires on 30 November 2017 and the renewal application was received on 6 November 2017.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Tel 474 4851 email: peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Licensing & Environment Committee to determine whether an application by a licensed hire operator to renew his Private Hire Operator’s licence should be refused under section 62 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. 

In attendance were two representatives of Stockport Council’s Licensing Team together with the applicant and his associates.  The Committee heard from all interested parties and they in turn answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.

RESOLVED – That the application to renew a Private Hire Operator’s licence be refused under section 62(1)(b) and 62(1)(d) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. 

The Committee found that the licensed hire operator’s recent inappropriate behaviour towards some Council Staff, together with his lack of response to recent Licensing Officer enquiries, rendered him unfit to hold an operator’s licence.  They were also extremely concerned as to the consistent poor maintenance of his fleet, as evidenced by his fleet’s low vehicle test pass rate (lower than the industry average) and the complete lack of any relevant vehicle maintenance paperwork and record keeping.  The applicant accepted that his current systems relating to fault reporting, repair and general maintenance were inadequate and informed the Committee that he had brought in new personnel and operating systems in the hope of improving his initial pass rate and demonstrate that his fleet is well maintained.  As these changes had only recently been introduced, the Committee saw no evidence that they would be sufficient and/or applied with appropriate rigor.

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

The Committee are requested to determine an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle licence in respect of a vehicle.  This is an Iveco minibus, previously licensed as Private Hire Vehicle 1293.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Tel 474 4851 or email peter.cooke@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 determine an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence in respect of a vehicle.  This was for an Iveco minibus, previously licensed as Private hire Vehicle 1293.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted under section 60 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.