Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Helen Crawford and Councillor Nikki Manterfield.

None disclosed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2025 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

It is anticipated that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the public may be excluded from the

meeting during consideration of the following item of business because of

the likelihood that otherwise exempt information, as described in

paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Act (as amended) would be disclosed to them

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to exclude the press and public in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) during consideration of the following item of business because of the likelihood that otherwise exempt information, as described in paragraph 1 and 2 of the Act (as amended) would be disclosed to them.

Report ENV903 from the Licensing Officer.

Decision

Considering the individual circumstances of the applicant, and the absence of any concerns during their previous licence, the Committee was satisfied that the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a driver’s licence and granted the application.

The Chairman introduced those present and confirmed the name of the applicant who was in attendance together with a family member.

The Licensing Officer presented exempt report ENV903 which asked the Committee to determine whether the Versant English Test pass required for renewing drivers should be adhered to in line with the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy approved by Council in May 2024.

Following the issuing of the Department of Transport updated Taxi and Private Hire Guidance in November 2023, the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was updated and approved by Council on 23 May 2024.

One of the amendments was that all drivers renewing after 1 August 2024, who could not supply evidence of a relevant qualification as listed in Appendix C 3.2.4 of the Taxi Policy, were required to sit and pass the Versant English test.

The driver before the Committee had held a licence since May 2011.  The driver’s existing badge had expired in April 2025 and renewal was made in March 2025, all supporting documents and checks had been completed with no issues.  However, as no qualification could be provided by the driver in respect of a relevant qualification, the driver was requested to sit the Versant English test.  

The driver sat the test and a copy of the test was appended to the report, the pass mark was 47.  The driver had confirmed that he was happy for officers to sit in the room where the test was being carried out.  During the course of the test it became apparent to the Officer present  that the driver had a speech impediment.  The driver confirmed this and stated that some words and phrases still presented issues.   The Officer contacted the organisation who ran the test and it was confirmed that the speech impediment had impacted the score received and that there were no alternative adjustments that could be made.

As there were no alternative test options or adjustments available to the driver  and after discussions with the Licensing Manager and the Head of Service for Public Protection it was confirmed that the driver should be referred to the Licensing Committee due to the exceptional circumstances and the driver being so close to the pass mark for the Committee to consider diverting away from the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The driver had been provided with temporary badge extensions to cover the interim period as all other aspects of the renewal had been in order and compliant.

Members questioned the Licensing Officer about the test and it was confirmed that the software used had a computer generated voice and that no adjustments could be made to the software.  It was also confirmed that the provider could not provide any alternative software.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

None.

The meeting closed at 10:52.