Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2025.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26  March 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 that 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.

It was reported that 14 urgent decisions had been taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

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 whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda items 7 - 10 that are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), as they contain ‘information relating to an individual’

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 7 - 10, relating to paragraph 1 (Information relating to any individual) and paragraph 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report provides details of alternative arrangements for the discharge of functions related to the granting of licences for taxi and private hire car matters. 

The Committee is requested to consider:

(i)           Whether it would wish to adopt alternative arrangements for the discharge of its functions to licence (i) hackney carriages and private hire vehicles; (ii) drivers of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles; and (iii) operators of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

(ii)          Should the Committee be minded to adopt alternative arrangement, request that the Director of Place Management and Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee detailing a proposed scheme of delegation for the Committee’s consideration.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or by email on damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided details of alternative arrangements for the discharge of functions related to the granting of licences for taxi and private hire car matters.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         A short discussion took place relating to the advantages or otherwise of having a smaller committee to look at the granting of licences for taxi and private hire car matters.

·         Some Members felt that they could not support the proposals at this time, but they may do so at a later date.

RESOLVED – That a report detailing a proposed scheme of delegation be submitted to the next meeting of the Licensing, Environment and Safety Committee for consideration before any decision is taken.

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details the conduct of an existing Private Hire Driver

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

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which informed the Committee of the conduct relating to an existing driver and requested the Committee to consider whether the driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire driver’s licence. The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the driver be suspended for a period of two weeks.

To consider an amended report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details the recent conduct of an existing Private Hire Driver.

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

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which informed the Committee of the conduct relating to an existing driver and requested the Committee to consider whether the driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire driver’s licence. The Committee interviewed the driver who was accompanied by his manager, in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the driver’s licence be revoked for a six month period.

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details the previous convictions of a new applicant for a Private Hire Driver’s licence.

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 0161 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which informed the Committee of the convictions related to a new driver and requested the Committee to consider whether the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire driver’s licence.  The Committee interviewed the driver who was accompanied by his solicitor, in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That no further action be taken.

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details the previous convictions of a new applicant for a Private Hire Driver’s licence.

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 0161 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which informed the Committee of the convictions related to a new driver and requested the Committee to consider whether the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire driver’s licence.  The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.