Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Richardson and Evans (no substitutes).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 31^st October 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

To agree that, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below, on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The sub-committee considered a request by the Council’s Regulatory Services Manager to review the conduct of a Hackney Carriage Driver, following an allegation that on Saturday 13th April 2024 they added 50p to a passenger’s journey by deliberately pressing the ‘extra charge’ button and then attempted to charge the passenger the additional sum.

The sub-committee had before it a copy a report of the Council’s Executive Director (Environment & Place), which included supporting information in respect of the matter attached as appendices to the report.  The sub-committee also viewed a video of the incident to which the allegation related.

At the outset of the meeting, all parties were informed of a typographical error in Appendix 3 of the submitted report of the Council’s Executive Director (Environment & Place) which erroneously stated that the sum estimated by the Council’s Regulatory Services Manager in his review was £16,800.  This figure should have been £1,680.

The application was presented by Mr Adam Penn, Council’s Regulatory Services Manager.  The respondent, who had the benefit of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence and a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence, attended the meeting and gave evidence.

The sub-committee considered all the evidence submitted in respect of this matter.

Resolved:-

That the driver’s licence be suspended for a period of four days in accordance with Section 61 of The Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  These four days shall be the next Friday to Monday from and including 8th November 2024 (or the next available set of those days from the end of any appeal process).