Issue - meetings

The Drivers Licence has been surrendered by the driver, however, not accepted by BCP Council.

This matter is brought before the Sub-Committee for consideration.

This item was restricted by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2 and 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Exempt information – Categories 1 (information relating to any individual), 2 (information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual) and 7 (information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime).

Attendance:

From BCP Council:

Michelle Fletcher – Licensing Officer

Trudi Barlow – Licensing Officer

Linda Cole – Legal Advisor

Christiane Tan – Clerk to the Sub Committee

Michelle Cutler – Democratic Services support

The driver was not present, having already been made aware that the hearing would proceed in their absence.

The Chair made introductions and explained the procedure to be followed in considering this item, which was agreed by all parties present.

The Licensing Officer 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. It was presented to the sub-committee that the applicant held three licences issued by BCP Council up until 28th January 2026, a Private Hire Driver Licence, a Private Hire Vehicle Licence, and a Private Hire Operator Licence in partnership with his brother. Recently, this individual sought to voluntarily surrender all three licences. BCP Council accepted the surrendering of the vehicle licence and the instruction that the operator is no longer in business and closed each of these records. The driver’s licence was surrendered by the driver however it was not accepted by BCP Council to date as it was considered that this attempted surrender was motivated by a desire to avoid or disrupt ongoing or potential investigations into recent licence breaches. If the surrendering of the licence had been accepted, this would have prevented BCP Council from concluding their inquiries and taking any appropriate formal regulatory action such as adding the driver to the National Register of Refusals and Revocations.

In the driver’s absence, the Sub-Committee considered the case based on the written information presented in the report. The Sub Committee asked various questions of the officers present and was grateful for the responses received.

The Licensing Officer was invited to sum up before the Sub-Committee retired to make its decision. Before concluding the hearing, the Legal Advisor advised of the right of appeal.

RESOLVED that the driver is no longer deemed to be a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a private hire driver licence and that the licence be revoked with immediate effect under Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in the interests of public safety).

Reasons for Decision:  

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all the written information which had been submitted before the hearing and contained in the Licensing Officer’s report for Agenda Item 7. 

The Sub-Committee also considered the verbal submissions made at the hearing by the Licensing Officer and the responses given to questions. The driver did not attend the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 173