Agenda and decisions

Decision

To suspend the Hackney Carriage Driver Licence Number HCxxx for a period of three months from the date upon which the Licence Holder’s right of appeal expires, or if an appeal is made, the date upon which the appeal is withdrawn or determined.

Reasons for the Decision

·         The Committee considered all the representations both in support of and against the review application.

·         The Committee were mindful of the Licence Holder’s long track record as a licenced driver.

·         The Committee did not agree with the Licence Holder’s assertion that his driving was not a danger to his passengers or any other members of the public. The Committee did not accept that the driver was best placed to make that decision.

·         Whilst the Committee listened patiently to the circumstances behind the xxxxx of the xxxxxx, the Committee felt that xxxxxx was a mistake and that it has ultimately led to these proceedings.

·         Having heard all the evidence and considered Fenland District Council’s Policy and National Guidance, the Committee decided that a short suspension of the Licence Holder’s Hackney Carriage Licence coupled with a warning as to his future conduct was an appropriate and proportionate outcome in this case.

·         Having heard advice that there is no statutory minimum or maximum suspension, the Committee decided that the appropriate length of suspension was three months to reflect the serious nature of the Licence Holder’s actions on xxxxx and to allow time to reflect on those actions and how they might impact the public and perception of Hackney Carriage Driver’s licence by Fenland DC.

·         The Committee felt that the Licence Holder had placed members of the public, including family members, in danger despite assertions to the contrary. The Committee were surprised that the Licence Holder showed no remorse or contrition for their actions, nor acknowledged that they were improper, instead placing blame on rival operators for bringing this matter to the Council’s attention and to the Council for not giving due weight to his record.

·         The Committee, however, stopped short of revoking the Licence Holder’s licence on the basis of previous good conduct and assurances to the Committee that this would not happen again.