To receive and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Regulation Committee held on 6 May 2009.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 May 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman referred to the composition of the Licensing Sub Committee following a request for there to be more than one sub committee.  The principle of all 12 members forming a pool from which the sub committee would be drawn was supported.  The Democratic Services Officer could then contact all 12 members and the first three available members would serve on the respective hearing. 

It was suggested that this proposal could be referred to the Constitutional Advisory Group.

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Annex 2 in Part 4 of the Constitution.

The Chairman announced that no petitions had been referred to this meeting.

To deal with general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with paragraph 1 of the scheme of public participation set out in Appendix 1 to Part 4 of the Constitution.

No applications had been received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Paragraph l of the Scheme of the Public Participation set out in Annex l to Part 4 of the Constitution.

A copy of the statement of policy about relevant convictions is attached to assist Members in relation to items 9 – 17.

The Committee were advised that the Statement of Policy about Relevant Convictions was attached to the agenda for information and guidance at item 7.

To consider and make a decision on the suspension of Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence No. 433 and Private Hire Driver’s Licence No. 786.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Enforcement Officer concerning the supension of a Hackney Carriage Licence No. 786 & Private Hire Driver’s Licence No. 433 issued by Central Bedfordshire Council (Zone B) in view of the offences declared by Bedford Magistrates Court.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

1. that the application for a Hackney Carriage Licence No. 786 and Private Hire Drivers Licence No. 433 submitteed by Mr N Hussain be revoked on the grounds of public safety and that he was not considered to be a “fit and proper” person to hold such a licence on the information provided during the meeting.

2. that the applicant be informed in writing of his rights to appeal against this decision to the Magistrates Court and that the appeal must be made within 21 days of written notification of this decision.

To make a decision on the application to Grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr A Ditta.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr A Ditta.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Team Leader, Health & Safety & Licensing were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for a new Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for Mr A Ditta be refused in this case, subject to the applicant being reminded of his responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the licence and that the Council has powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to revoke the licence at any time and that any further convictions could seriously affect continuation or renewal of the licence.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr A Rahim.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr A Rahim.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Team Leader, Health & Safety & Licensing were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

1. that the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence submitted by Mr Rahim be refused in this case under Paragraph 59 of the Local Government Miscellaneous provisions) Act 1976, as the Committee does not consider the Applicantto be a “fit and proper” person to hold such a licence on the information provided during the meeting.

2. that the Applicant be informed in writing of his rights to appeal against this decision to the Magistrates Court and that the appeal must be made within 21 days of written notification of this decision.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr A M B Zahoor.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr A M B Zahoor.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for a new Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s licence for Mr M B Zahoor be granted in this case, subject to the applicant being reminded of his responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the licence and that the Council has powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to revoke the licence at any time and that any further convictions could seriously affect continuation or renewal of the licence.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr S J Hashimi.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the application to grant a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr S Hashimi, following his non appearance at Committee.

RESOLVED

that consideration of the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for Mr S Hashimi be deferred to the next meeting of the Regulation Committee.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr S Ahmed.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr S Ahmed.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for a new Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s licence for Mr S Ahmed be granted in this case, subject to the applicant being reminded of his responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the licence and that the Council has powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to revoke the licence at any time and that any further convictions could seriously affect continuation or renewal of the licence.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr N Rahman.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr N Rahman.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

1.            that the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence submitted by Mr N Rahman be refused in this case under Paragraph 59 of the Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1976, as the Committee does not consider the Applicant to be a “fit and proper” person to hold such a licence on the information provided during the meeting.

2.            that the Applicant be informed in writing of his right to appeal against this decision to the Magistrates Court and that the appeal must be made within 21 days of written notification of this decision.

To make a decision on the application to grant a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr S U Chowdhury.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for grant of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence in respect of Mr S U Chowdhury.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

1.            that the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence submitted by Mr S U Chowdhury be refused in this case under Paragraph 59 of the Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1976, as the Committee does not consider the Applicant to be a “fit and proper” person to hold such a licence on the information provided during the meeting.

2.            that the Applicant be informed in writing of his right to appeal against this decision to the Magistrates Court and that the appeal must be made within 21 days of written notification of this decision.

To make a decision to permit a licensed Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver to continue to be licensed in view of his criminal conviction.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the application to renew a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence to Mr F B Leigh, following his non appearance at Committee.

RESOLVED

that consideration of the application for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence for Mr F B Leigh be deferred to the next meeting of the Regulation Committee.

To make a decision to permit a licensed Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver to continue to be licensed in view of his criminal convictions.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing Officer concerning an application for renewal of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s licence in respect of Mr S S A Shah.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for renewal of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s licence for Mr S S A Shah be granted in this case, subject to the applicant being reminded of his responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the licence and that the Council has powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to revoke the licence at any time and that any further convictions could seriously affect continuation or renewal of the licence.