Agenda and minutes

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda items 5-8 that are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), as they contain ‘information relating to an individual’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 5-8 to prevent the disclosure of information 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 interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

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 informs Members of the conduct of a Stockport Licensed Private Hire Operator and vehicle proprietor.

The Committee is requested to determine whether or not the Private Hire Operator and vehicle proprietor remain fit and proper to hold a private Hire Operator Licence.

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) which requested the Committee to consider whether VIP Taxis Stockport Limited remained fit and proper to hold a Private Hire Operators Licence in the light of the conduct of the operator.

The Committee interviewed the operator in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the Private Hire Operator’s Licence be revoked on the grounds that the operator is not a fit and proper person by virtue of the significant and sustained failures on the part of the operator to comply with the legal requirements and conditions of the licence; specifically the committee took account of the following factors:-

·         The failure to keep adequate records which led to an unlicensed vehicle being used on school runs which mean it was uninsured

·         A failure to make reasonable arrangements for the receipt of and actioning of email correspondence received by VIP Taxis.

·         The incidents were not isolated as you had been brought before the Licensing Committee in 2015 and VIP Taxis Ltd were convicted in respect of employing an unlicensed driver and at the time you said the implementation of a new computer system would mean that this would not be repeated.

·         In a letter dated March 2015 you were reminded of your responsibilities regarding record-keeping in respect of drivers and vehicles that had been suspended.

The culmination of these factors was to significantly and seriously compromise the safety of members of the public using vehicles operated by VIP Taxis Stockport Limited such that the committee has no confidence in your management and control of VIP Taxis Ltd and therefore was not satisfied that VIP Taxis Ltd are a fit and proper person to continue to hold an operator’s licence.  Accordingly the licence has been duly revoked.

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

The report informs Members of an application for the grant of a Private Hire vehicle licence.  Licensing records indicate that this vehicle has previously been licensed by Stockport Council.

The Committee is requested to consider whether or not to grant the licence.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence.  It was reported that notwithstanding that the grant of such a licence fell within the range of delegations of the Corporate Director, the matter had been remitted to the Committee in the light of the concerns that had been raised in respect of the ability of the applicant to ensure that the vehicle was suitable, safe and in a suitable mechanical condition to the issued with a licence.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to this matter.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted, subject to the vehicles meeting the requirements of the compliance test.

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

The report informs Members of an application for the grant of a Private Hire vehicle licence.  Licensing records indicate that this vehicle has previously been licensed by Stockport Council.

The Committee is requested to consider whether or not to grant the licence.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence.  It was reported that notwithstanding that the grant of such a licence fell within the range of delegations of the Corporate Director, the matter had been remitted to the Committee in the light of the concerns that had been raised in respect of the ability of the applicant to ensure that the vehicle was suitable, safe and in a suitable mechanical condition to the issued with a licence.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to this matter.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted, subject to the vehicles meeting the requirements of the compliance test.

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

The report informs Members of an application for the grant of a Private Hire vehicle licence. 

The Committee is requested to consider whether or not to grant the licence.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application for the grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence.  It was reported that notwithstanding that the grant of such a licence fell within the range of delegations of the Corporate Director, the matter had been remitted to the Committee in the light of the concerns that had been raised in respect of the ability of the applicant to ensure that the vehicle was suitable, safe and in a suitable mechanical condition to the issued with a licence.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to this matter.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted, subject to the vehicles meeting the requirements of the compliance test.