To elect a Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Barbara Lewis was elected as Chair for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of a Sub-Committee held on 10 September 2026.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 10 September 2026 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 25, 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.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which set out information relating to a number of complaints received about the Respondent’s conduct whilst working as a licensed driver.  Members noted that the complaints included allegations of inappropriate conversations with young female passengers, poor customer service and aggressive behaviour. 

Members received oral representations from the Respondent.

Decision

That the Respondent’s Torbay Council Driver’s 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.

Reasons for Decision

Having carefully considered all the written and oral representations, Members resolved to revoke the Respondent’s Torbay Council Driver’s Licence, having determined that they could not be satisfied that the Respondent was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a driver’s licence issued by Torbay Council.  Members further determined that the revocation should take immediate effect in the interests of public safety.

In reaching their decision, Members carefully considered whether they would allow a person for whom they care, or any vulnerable person known to them, to travel alone in a vehicle driven by the Respondent.  Members unanimously agreed they could not.

Members noted that the Respondent had held a Torbay Council Driver’s Licence for over 11 years and referred to his many years of service carrying members of the public, including vulnerable passengers and school transport users.  Members considered the Respondent’s frank admission that he had recently and was currently suffering from significant personal and financial pressures, together with the loss of his mother, and that these matters had adversely affected his mental wellbeing and judgement.  Members were sympathetic to the difficult circumstances described by the Respondent and accepted that he had spoken candidly about the affect those circumstances had been having upon him.  However, Members were obliged to determine the matter on the evidence before them and with public safety as their overriding consideration.

Members noted that four complaints had been received between December 2025 and August 2026.  Of particular concern to Members were the complaints involving inappropriate comments made to female passengers and minors.  Members noted the Respondent’s submission that he had no recollection of some of the alleged comments and did not know the ages of the passengers involved.  However, Members considered that a professional licensed driver carrying passengers, particularly young female passengers, should be aware of who is in their vehicle and should exercise appropriate judgement in the conversations they engage in.

Members were especially troubled that the allegations showed a pattern of inappropriate conversations with female passengers over several months.  Whilst any one incident may not necessarily have justified revocation on its own, Members were required to consider the cumulative impact of multiple complaints and the forming pattern of behaviour.  Members found that the complaints demonstrated a concerning lack of professional boundaries  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.