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: Part 2 – Private: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 1 – Information relating to an individual).

The Panel is invited to consider whether any action should be taken in respect of a Private Hire Drivers Licence.

(Reasons: Part 2 – Private – LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 1 and 2 – Information relating to an individual and information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)

The Licensing and Appeals Committee, sitting as a Panel, considered whether any action was appropriate in respect of an application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence following information received from the NR3 National Database, relating to the revocation of the driver’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire (Dual) Driver’s Licence issued by Canterbury City Council.

In its deliberations, the Panel took into account the Council’s Taxi and Licensing Enforcement Policy, as well as the Institute of Licensing’s Guidance on Determining the Suitability of Applicants and Licensees in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade.

Section 4.10 of the Institute of Licensing’s Guidance on Determining the Suitability of Applicants and Licensees in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade, updated in 2024, stated that drivers and operators could not be granted a licence unless the authority was satisfied that they were a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a licence.

Having listened to all the applicant told them and after reviewing the evidence, the Panel decided not to grant a licence on the basis that they were not satisfied that the applicant was a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a licence with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

RESOLVED: That the application for a Private Hire Driver’s Licence, be refused.