Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Chair opened the meeting and asked those present to introduce themselves.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item: 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 Paragraphs 1 and 2.

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Resolved:

That under Section 100(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 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule 12A of the Act:

1.    Information relating to any individual.

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which sought to consider whether the Respondent was a ‘fit and proper’ person for the purposes of holding a Dual Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s licence under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Chair asked the Applicant to present their case.

The Applicant clarified their case and provided additional documentation in the form of two Private Hire Vehicle licences purportedly issued by Canterbury City Council. 

It was explained to the Applicant the existence of these licences contradicted the evidence that had been provided by Canterbury City Council.

Members of the Sub-Committee asked questions including whether the Applicant would have an objection to an adjournment to allow the Licensing Officers to clarify the licences provided with Canterbury City Council. The Licensing Sub-Committee then adjoined at 10.43 am to allow the Licensing Officer to contact Canterbury City Council.

Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious), and the Licensing Officer returned to the meeting at 11:05 am.

The Chair asked the Applicant and Members for comments, and then Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious), and the Democratic Services Officer adjourned at 11:06 am to make their decision. The Applicant left the meeting.

Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious) and the Democratic Services Officer returned to the meeting at 11.10 am. The decision of notice is attached as Appendix I to these minutes.

Resolved:

(1) That the Applicant’s Swale Borough Council Dual Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence application be refused.