Agenda item

6.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report relating to the review of the current policy in respect of referring current and prospective licensed drivers to the Licensing Sub-Committee and the setting of the guidelines as to when a driver and applicant should be referred.

6.2

Clive Stephenson, Principal Licensing Officer, presented the report and stated that the current referrals procedure has been in place since 2009, and the Local Authority aims to conduct a review of licensing policies on a three yearly cycle and therefore it is before the Licensing Committee for consideration. He stated that similarly with most policies it is a source of guidance only and can be subject to interpretation.  He stated that the report gives a flavour to Members of policies which are adopted in different parts of the country and is source of information only and not recommendation.

6.3

In response to questions, Clive Stephenson stated that in most instances, Licensing Officers are able to grant licences when satisfied that the person is a fit and proper person to hold a licence and use their discretion as to when it is appropriate for an applicant to  be referred to the Sub-Committee for consideration. He added that Licensing Officers have a duty of care to the public to follow up any complaints received and check with the driver regarding the circumstances of a complaint before deciding on what action to be taken.

6.4

Members felt there was a need for greater clarity as to the nature of the warnings issued, the number of warnings given before a referral is made to the Licensing Committee and that consideration be given as to the length of time a warning remains on a licence.

6.5

The Committee heard representations from Hafeas Rehman (Sheffield Taxi Trade Association) and Peter Davies (GMB trade union), who both indicated that they were happy with the current policy. They stated the present system is fair, works well and nothing needs to change.

6.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee determines that there should be no major change to the policy as set out in the report, but requests the Chief Licensing Officer to report to the Committee in three months’ time (a) with proposals for the inclusion within the policy of any conviction for any drugs offences or related offences to the supply of drugs resulting in a custodial sentence or drug related offences which the Chief Licensing Officer considers to be of a serious nature, any caution or fixed penalty notice for any drugs offences or related offences to the supply of drugs and (b) with regard to the definition of offences and warnings and that any caution and/or conviction of drug offences be included within the current policy.