Minutes:
The Following is a Part 1 summary of the case:
The Licensing Sub-Committee was asked to consider whether the Applicant (Reference 02-15) was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s licence. The Applicant attended the hearing.
The Licensing Officer summarised the background to the application and discussed the relevant Policy and Legislative considerations in this case. He advised Members that the Sub-Committee could only allow an applicant to hold a Private Hire Operator’s licence if they were satisfied that the applicant was a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold that licence.
The Sub-Committee was advised that the applicant had been convicted in September 2014 of acting as an unlicensed driver and using an unlicensed vehicle, contrary to chapter 34, section 12(1) and section 6(1) of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, and for using a vehicle uninsured for Hire and Reward. The Sub-Committee was advised that to date, the applicant had failed to notify the Licensing Office of this conviction as required by the conditions attached to the Private Hire Operator licence.
The Officer submitted that, in light of the above conviction and the applicant’s failure to notify the Licensing Office of this conviction, the applicant was not deemed a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence in Slough, and it was recommended that the licence be revoked.
The Applicantaddressed the Sub-Committee and accepted that he had chosen to carry a passenger in an unlicensed vehicle, without insurance, and he put forward mitigation.
With regard to the lack of declaration of outstanding charges when applying for a renewal of the Private Hire Operator’s Licence, the applicant submitted that as the offence was committed whilst acting as a driver for an Operator licensed by Transport for London, he did not understand that this needed to be declared when applying for a renewal of a license issued by Slough Borough Council.
The applicant submitted that the Private Hire Operator’s Licence held in Slough was not currently used, though there were plans to use this in the future.
The Sub-Committee adjourned to reach its decision and carefully considered all the evidence. Members were concerned about what the offences showed about the applicant’s honesty, ability to take responsibility as a driver, and about whether he would be a safe driver.
The Sub-Committee decided, in view of the concerns outlined above, that the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operator’s Licence in Slough, and therefore the licence was revoked.
Resolved - That the Private Hire Operator Licence, ref 02-15, be revoked.