To elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Foster was elected as Chair for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of a Sub-Committee held on 18 September 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 18 September 2025 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting prior to consideration of the following item on the agenda on the grounds that exempt information (as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)) is likely to be disclosed.

Prior to consideration of the items in Minute 15, the press and public were formally excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

To consider a report of the fit and proper status of a Driver licensed by Torbay Council.

Members considered a report on the fit and proper status of the holder of a Torbay Council issued Driver’s Licence and Hackney Carriage Vehicle Proprietors Licence. 

The Licensing Officer presented the report which set out information detailing a high number of complaints that had been received in relation to alleged actions and driving standards of the holder of a Torbay Council issued Driver’s Licence and Hackney Carriage Vehicle Proprietors Licence. 

The Respondent was supported at the hearing and Members received oral representations from the Respondent and their Representative at the Hearing.

Decision:

That the Respondents Torbay Council Driver’s Licence be suspended for a period of three months, in accordance with Section 61(1)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976 and that this suspension shall have immediate effect, in accordance with Section 61(2B) of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976.

During the period of suspension, the Respondent must undertake and successfully complete:

1)         a RoSPA Level 2 Award in Advanced Driving, or similar, and produce written evidence to that effect to Torbay Council’s Licensing Department; and

2)         a Customer Service Level 2 course or similar and produce written evidence to that effect to Torbay Council’s Licensing Department.

Should the Respondent successfully complete the required courses within a shorter period from the date of suspension and produce sufficient evidence to that effect, the suspension will cease on written confirmation to the Respondent from Torbay Council’s Licensing Department.

That whilst suspended, the Respondent also read and familiarises herself with the contents of Torbay Council’s Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Policy, as issued to her and that she keeps a copy of the said Policy in the licensed vehicle at all times when on duty as a licensed driver for future reference.

Members determined, having considered all the evidence before them, that the suspension should have immediate effect, in the interest of public and customer safety, having determined that currently the Respondent was not a fit and proper person to hold a Torbay Council’s Driver’s Licence.

There would be no action taken on the separate issue of the Respondent’s Hackney Carriage Proprietors Licence.

Reasons for Decision:

In reaching their decision, Members carefully considered whether they would allow their son or daughter, spouse or partner, mother or father, grandson or granddaughter, or any other person for whom they care, or any vulnerable person known to them, to travel alone in a vehicle driven by the Respondent.  The answer to this question, on the balance of probabilities, was ‘no’.

Members were tasked with determining whether the Respondent remained a fit and proper person to hold a Torbay Council Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence and Hackney Carriage Vehicle Proprietor Licence.  In doing so, Members considered her conduct, character, and compliance with Torbay Council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy, as well as relevant statutory provisions and guidance.

Members heard from the Licensing Officer that the Respondent had been the subject of 19 complaints between 18 August 2025 and 28 September 2025, which in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.