Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest.

The Chairman will read the following statement:

The report contains information which the officer recommends should be exempt from publication and also that the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the appeal, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act).

The Chairman will ask the Sub-Committee the following:

Does the Licensing Appeals Sub-Committee agree that the public interest is outweighed by the recommendation to exclude the press and public for this agenda item?

The Chairman of the Sub-Committee will welcome those present and introduce him/herself; the remaining members of the Sub-Committee and the officers will then introduce themselves.

A copy of the Sub-Committee appeals procedure is attached.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act).

The sub-committee heard representations from the licence holder and Licensing Officer.

The Sub-Committee decided on the balance of probabilities to refuse the grant of a private hire licence.

In making its decision the sub-committee considered the following:

·       Statutory provisions: S51,61 & 77 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976

·       Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards issued by the Department of Transport in July 2020

·       South Cambridgeshire District Council Private Hire and Taxi Policy

·       Report of the Licensing Enforcement Officer

·       Advice from the Council’s legal adviser

·       Evidence as referred to above.

The sub-committee made its decision for the following reasons:

·       There were no extenuating circumstances to allow Members to depart from existing policy.

·       The appellant had made an irresponsible decision to drive under the influence of alcohol.

·       The appellant did not ensure that he had made himself aware of the conditions required to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence before starting his application.