7 Consideration of continued suitability of Hackney Carriage Driver PDF 313 KB
The Licensing Team have received information from Dorset Police in a witness statement which raised concerns about the conduct of a Licenced Hackney Carriage Driver who is also the proprietor of a Private Hire Vehicle. They consider that the information provided raises serious concerns in regard to the standard of behaviour expected of a licensed driver.
In addition the same named driver is linked to separate information submitted to the Licensing Team.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is asked to determine whether the driver remains ‘fit and proper ‘to hold a Hackney Carriage driver licence.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
This item was restricted by virtue of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Exempt information – Categories 1 (information relating to any individual) and 2 (information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual).
Present:
From BCP Council:
Linda Cole – Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee
Nananka Randle – Licensing Manager
Sarah Rogers – Senior Licensing Officer
Michelle Cutler – Clerk to the Sub Committee
Cllr Patrick Canavan – Observing for training purposes
The driver was in attendance.
The Chair made introductions and explained the procedure to be followed in considering this item, which was agreed by all parties present.
The Licensing Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.
The Sub Committee was asked to consider whether the applicant was deemed to be a ‘fit and proper’ person to allow them to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence for BCP Council.
The Sub-Committee asked various questions of all parties present and was grateful for the responses received. All parties were invited to sum up before the Sub-Committee retired to make its decision. Before concluding the hearing, the Council’s Legal Advisor advised all parties of the right of appeal.
The Sub-Committee RESOLVED that the driver is not a ‘fit and proper person’ and there is reasonable cause to revoke his Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence with immediate effect in accordance with section 61(2B) Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in the interests of public safety.
Reason for Decision:
The Sub-Committee considered all the information which had been submitted before the Hearing and contained in the report for Agenda Item 7, along with the verbal submissions made at the hearing by the driver, and Nananka Randle, Licensing Manager.
In considering the test of a ‘fit and proper person’, the Sub-Committee also had regard to the BCP Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Policy 2021 - 2025, the provisions of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Institute of Licensing (IOL) Guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the Hackney and Private Hire Trades (2018) and the guidance within the Department of Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (updated November 2022).
The Sub-Committee noted that Dorset Police shared a Police statement made by the driver regarding a separate ongoing investigation linked to county lines with the Licensing Department on 25th March 2025, as the Police had serious concerns regarding his behaviour as a licensed driver.
In that statement the driver stated that he gave out his phone number to customers that asked for it and he took private bookings.
The Sub-Committee were very concerned about the circumstances described in the statement and that the driver, despite undertaking the ‘Blue Lamp Trust Safeguarding Awareness Training’ in 2023, which includes how to identify and report suspicious activity and to understand what ... view the full minutes text for item 7