Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Boyes and Sankey. Councillor Barrell acted as a substitute.

Councillor Willingham noted that he is a Councillor for Gloucestershire County Council. He explained that this declaration was not prejudicial.

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 1; Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2; Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

The Chair read the following statement:

-       That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2: Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

Members voted unanimously to enter exempt session.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report.

The driver did not attend the meeting but submitted a written statement.

Officers responded to Members’ questions.

Following debate in closed session, Members voted to revoke the driver’s licence:

For – 3

Against - 1

The Chair raised concern over the failure of the police to inform the council that a licenced taxi driver had been arrested, and over the lack of co-operation from the police and Gloucestershire County Council’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to requests for information from licensing officers. Members shared his concern about the lack of understanding of the importance of multi-agency safeguarding in relation to licenced drivers. The Chair highlighted that these concerns had previously been raised following another incident in 2021.

It was agreed that the Chair should write to the Director for Children’s Services and would request a meeting with the Chief Constable. The Senior Licensing Officer would also contact other local authorities to confirm whether they had experienced similar issues.