Agenda and minutes

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under the Police Act 1997 and Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Police Act 1997 and Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime).

The Sub-Committee of the Licensing Board considered a report, presented by the Business Regulation Manager, relating to applications for the renewal and review of hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences in respect of Messrs. A.M.A.E.S.A., J.K., M.B. and M.H.

Mr. J.K. attended the meeting and was interviewed by the Sub-Committee.

Resolved:- (1) That, further to Minute No. 35(4) of the meeting of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee held on 25th September, 2017, the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence in respect of Mr. A.M.A.E.S.A. be revoked with immediate effect.

(2) That the application for the renewal of a hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence in respect of Mr. J.K. be approved and his licence be renewed for a period of one year.

(3) That, further to Minute No. C10(3) of the Commissioner’s Case Hearing meeting held on 15th August, 2016, consideration of the review of the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence in respect of Mr. M.B. be deferred and he be afforded the opportunity of attending a future meeting of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee.

(4) That consideration of the application for the renewal of the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence in respect of Mr. M.H. be deferred, because of his personal circumstances and travel abroad, as now reported, he be afforded the opportunity of attending a future meeting of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee and asked to provide appropriate documentation as evidence of him being abroad on 16 October 2017.

Further to Minute No. C13 of the Commissioner’s Case Hearing meeting held on 13th October, 2015, the Sub-Committee of the Licensing Board considered a report, presented by the Business Regulation Manager, relating to an application from Uber Britannia Ltd. for the renewal of this Company’s Private Hire Operator Licence.

The report referred to the recent appeal lodged by Uber London Ltd. against the decision of Transport for London to refuse to renew that Company’s Private Hire Operator licence for the London area.

During consideration of this item, the Sub-Committee discussed the conditions which apply to all private hire operators’ licences and suggested various additional conditions. It was agreed that a report on this matter be submitted to the forthcoming meeting of the Licensing Board, to be held on Monday, 30th October, 2017.

Members also suggested that a request be made to the Company to provide information relating to the Company’s driver rating procedures.

Resolved:- (1) That the application be approved and the private hire operator’s licence in respect of Uber Britannia Ltd. be renewed.

(2) That additional conditions be applied to this private hire operator licence requiring the Company to (a) notify this Council of all drivers dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct; and (b) cease the use of any computer software or apps which are capable of preventing regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the Company’s app and other systems.

(3) That, further to (1) and (2) above, the Company’s request for the removal of condition 2(d) from the operating conditions be approved.