Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information

The Chairman moved, it was seconded and

RESOLVED:  That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private.

(Reasons:  LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 1 – Information relating to an individual)

(Reasons: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 1 – Information relating to an individual)

The Panel was asked to consider whether an application for a Probationary Private Hire Driver’s Licence should be granted following the receipt of information from Kent County Council that the Applicant had been driving a private hire vehicle in order to carry out a school contract without a private hire driver’s licence. 

The Panel had regard to the report of the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer, the statement made by the KCC School and Client Transport Inspector (as set out at Annex 2 to the report) and the Tonbridge and Malling Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.  The Panel gave careful consideration to the representations made by the Applicant and his Mentor in respect of the circumstances which had led the Applicant to drive a licensed vehicle whilst being unlicensed.  The Applicant acknowledged that he had driven a private hire vehicle and admitted that he had made a mistake.  He apologised to the Panel for that mistake and informed them that, as soon as he realised that he did not hold the appropriate licence, he had made it clear that he would not carry out any more private hire work.  The Panel noted that the Applicant had considerable experience in the motor trade and had worked as a driver for a supermarket chain for a number of years and also drove for a charity.  The Panel accepted that the Applicant had a clean record and had shown remorse for his mistake.  In the circumstances the Panel was satisfied that the Applicant was a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a Probationary Private Hire Driver’s Licence.  For these reasons, therefore, the Panel

RESOLVED:  That the application for a Probationary Private Hire Driver’s Licence be GRANTED.