Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 September 2014 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in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of items (if any) on the agenda which are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 7 to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual as defined in Category 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the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 applicants 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.

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, in consultation with the Chair, taken urgent action to suspend one hire car driver’s licence pending receipt of a Disclosure and Barring Service report.

RESOLVED – That the urgent decision be noted.

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 advises members of an appropriate policy to cover the allocation of Hackney Cab Licences in the future.

The Committee is requested to note the report and endorse the adoption of the policy set out within the report to cover the issue of Hackney Cab licenses.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated), requesting members to consider the adoption of a policy that regulates applications for Hackney Cab Licences.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following policy in respect of the regulation of applications for Hackney Cab Licences:-

(i)            The Licensing Team will maintain a waiting list of persons wishing to apply for a Hackney Cab Licence.

(ii)          Requests to join the waiting list must be made in writing to the Licensing Team Manager.

(iii)         The Team Manager will respond in writing confirming addition to the waiting lost and setting out the details of its operation.

(iv)         Persons will be assigned a number on the waiting list based on a random draw which will take place on Friday 5^th December.  Any requests from persons to join the waiting list after that date will be added incrementally to the waiting list.  In the event of a hackney cab licence becoming available before the draw on 5^th December then an earlier draw will be convened to determine the order of the persons on the waiting list.

(v)          In the event of a hackney licence becoming available then this will be offered to person number 1 on the waiting list.  If this is declined then it will be offered to person number 2 (and so on).

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

The report details a licensed hire car driver's convictions and his failure to notify the licensing section of the convictions that resulted in the annual renewal of his licence on two occasions. The report also details a number of complaints regarding the driver's behaviour.

The Committee is recommended to consider whether or not the driver is a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire car driver’s licence.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing members of a licensed hire car driver’s convictions and his failure to notify the licensing authority of the convictions that resulted in the annual renewal of his licence on two occasions.  There had also been a number of complaints regarding the driver’s behaviour.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That in the light of the driver’s convictions and failure to notify the licensing authority of the convictions on two separate occasions, the driver’s licence should continue to be suspended.  The Committee further noted that the driver’s licence was due to expire on 13 October 2014.