Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillors I Choudary, C Lill and I Markham.

The minutes from the meeting held on 14 January 2010 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED

That the persons referred to in the private part of the agenda be granted leave to address the Committee.

There were none.

1.      Councillor Taylor agreed to sit on the panel for the sub Committee to be held on 3 February 2010.

2.      It was noted that Councillor Jean Hawkins had been selected as the Independent Group’s member on the Licensing Committee.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

The Licensing Officer presented the report to the Committee.  He explained that every three years, the Gambling Act 2005 required Licensing Authorities to publish a statement of principles that they intended to apply when exercising their related functions. The Statement of Licensing Principles, appended to the report, had been consulted widely and collectively finalised prior to being put before the respective committees across the county. It was noted that the only updates to the previous document was that there were now four casinos in the town and that the population of Northampton had significantly increased.

RESOLVED

That the Committee note and approve the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles.

The Chair to Move:

“that the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there is likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12a to such act.”

The Chair moved that the Public and Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by Section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12A to such Act.

The Motion was Carried.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

The driver confirmed that he had received the relevant paperwork and the Licensing Officer outlined the circumstances of the conviction as set out in the report.

The Committee heard the representations made and reached a decision with regard to any further action to be taken based on the evidence presented.

RESOLVED

(1)    That the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Driver’s Licence

(2)    That no further action be taken on this occasion.

(3)    That the driver take heed of the advice given by the Committee to ensure that there was no repeat of the events leading to his recent conviction.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

The driver confirmed that he had received the relevant paperwork and the Licensing Officer outlined the circumstances of the conviction as set out in the report.  The Committee’s attention was brought to information in the report relating to the driver’s previous appearance before them on 21 February 2008 for a similar offence.

The Committee heard the representations made and reached a decision with regard to the suspension or revocation of the driver’s Private Hire Licence based on the evidence presented.

RESOLVED

(1)    That the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence.

(2)    That the Private Hire Driver’s Licence be revoked with immediate effect under Section 61, sub section 2(b), 2B of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.