To elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Foster was elected as Chair for the meeting.

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 18, 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, Private Hire Operators Licence and Private Hire Vehicle Proprietor Licence.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which set out information detailing several complaints related to driving standards and serious habitual allegations towards lone female passengers, against the holder of a Torbay Council issued Driver’s Licence, Private Hire Operators Licence and Private Hire Vehicle Proprietor Licence. 

The Respondent was supported at the hearing by a Legal Representative and Members received oral representations from the Respondent and their representative. 

Decision:

That the Respondent’s Torbay Council Drivers’ Licence be revoked in accordance with Section 61(1)(b) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1976 and that this revocation shall have immediate effect, in accordance with Section 61(2B) of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976. 

Secondly, in relation to the Private Hire Operators Licence, the licence shall be revoked with immediate effect in accordance with Section 62(1)(b) of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976. 

And thirdly, in relation to the Private Hire Vehicle Proprietor Licence, the licence shall be revoked with immediate effect in accordance with Section 60 (1)(c) of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976. 

Reasons for Decision:

In coming to their decision, Members carefully considered having been charged with the responsibility to determine the drivers’ licence, whether they would allow their son or daughter, spouse or partner, mother or father, grandson or granddaughter or any other person to whom they care, or any other vulnerable person known to them to get into a vehicle with the respondent alone.  An unequivocal and unanimous answer by Members to this question, was “no”.

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

Members noted the Respondent had been the subject of five complaints between 5 December 2024 and 11 November 2025.  The complaints related to poor driving standards and serious allegations of unwanted behaviour some being sexual in nature towards lone female passengers.  In addition to the written and oral submissions, Members listened to 3 voice recordings relating to the allegations received from either the lone female passengers themselves or their mother in one case who had all called the Respondent’s Private Hire Operator to report their concerns.

The Respondent within his oral submissions, denied all the allegations, and in relation to those reported by the three lone females, he denied he had instigated the conversations or asked them anything inappropriate. 

In respect of the two driving complaints from the same evening in which there was a large group for which he needed to make three journeys, from which two had received separate complaints, he denied he had been speeding and that the passengers were ‘chucked around in the car’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.