Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Macdonald was appointed Chair for this meeting.

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare personal and prejudicial interests, including the nature and extent of such interests, in relation to business on the agenda, before any discussion takes place on the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for item 4 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I, Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Environment.

(Report circulated to Members)

Mr KS had applied for a licence to drive a licensed vehicle. The application form had shown details of a caution issued in September 2009. Mr KS had submitted a letter explaining the background to the offence.

Mr KS attended the meeting and spoke in support of his application. He explained the background to the incident and subsequent caution which had occurred when he had been a pupil at St James’ School. He stated that he greatly regretted the incident and that because he was a foreign national he had not been familiar when younger with the laws of this country. He assured the Sub Committee that he had learnt his lesson and would not behave in such a manner again. He advised that he had returned temporarily to Afghanistan and married and that he was keen to work as a taxi driver so that his wife could join him in this country.

He had been worked for a number of employers since leaving school including Next, the Raj India restaurant, a burger van in Sidwell Street and Crealy Park. He was currently undertaking deliveries which was also helping him with familiarising himself with Exeter and which would help him with his knowledge test as part of his application to become a taxi driver. In response to Members, he explained the reasons why he had left various employers.

RESOLVED that the application be refused as it was felt that Mr KS was not of sufficient maturity in his attitude for the Sub Committee to be confident that he would be able to meet his responsibilities when driving a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle. It was felt therefore that he was not a fit and proper person for the purpose of the taxi legislation.

(Report circulated to Members)