Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Dearden.

Councillor Sankey declared an interest as she is employed by Gloucestershire County Council is Children’s Services. 

Councillor Boyes declared an interest as the Vice Chair of Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Gloucestershire County Council.

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 made the following statement and the matter went to the vote,

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 vote was unanimous and the meeting entered exempt session.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report as published.

The Members were given the opportunity to ask the officer questions, the drivers solicitor was then give the opportunity to ask the officer questions.

The drivers solicitor then addressed the committee.  He then responded to Member questions and summed up the case.

Members then adjourned with the Legal Officer to debate the matter and make a decision.

The decision was as follows:

The committee have based their decision on the evidence before them and have been given a number of options to consider

To take no action is not an option given the seriousness of the issues before the committee

To give a written warning is again not an option given the seriousness of the allegations

The committee deem that given the background to the case after listening to the oral submissions of the driver’s representative it is too draconian to revoke the licence

The committee decided that the driver has already been suspended for three months and has had time to reflect on his actions that led to the arrests. To that end the committee are content that the current suspension is to be lifted but the driver must undertake a safeguarding course at his expense within three months of the date of the committee and this must be communicated to the licensing team

This was not a unanimous decision

There is a right of appeal to the local magistrates court within 21 days of the decision

There were none.