URL: https://democracy.runnymede.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1413

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Sub-Committee was asked to determine whether the Hackney Carriage Driver named in the report was still deemed to be ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence, following an alleged incident at a local entertainment venue in the borough.   The Senior Licensing Officer was invited to present their report.   The Sub-Committee was informed that the driver was first licensed as a Private Hire Driver in 2011, and became a combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver in 2013.  Members were appraised of the history of ‘issues’ of concern going back to December 2014.  Seven of the eight recorded incidents involved the driver’s behaviour, the most recent being in February 2025, for which a written warning was issued.   Members were advised of the events and the alleged behaviour of the driver on 18 October 2025.  The Senior Operations Manager at the venue reported the alleged incident to the Licensing Team on 19 October 2025, which Officers then investigated.  This included obtaining witness statements from three members of staff at the venue and interviewing the driver.   Members reviewed the statements made by the staff and the driver.  However, as the driver nor representatives of the venue were present at the meeting, there was no opportunity for Members to ask them questions.  The Sub-Committee relied on the written evidence before them to consider the matter.  Members’ attention was drawn to the statements made in the Driver’s interview under caution and the email explaining why they could not attend the meeting, due to ill health.   The Sub-Committee determined the case in private session.   Members were directed towards the relevant sections of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, in particular the paramount importance of public safety.  Members also took into account the Institute of Licensing ‘Suitability Guidance’, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, other legal implications and reviewed their options which could be exercised under the aforementioned Act.    The Sub-Committee’s decision was that based on the evidence, and the balance of probability, a serious incident had occurred to justify that the driver should be suspended until such time as they had completed and provided written evidence of attendance of a specific course on ‘Taxi Driver Proficiency’ to be delivered by The Blue Lamp Trust.   The Sub-Committee considered that the driver’s behaviour had fallen significantly below that expected of a Hackney Carriage Driver and that they did have a history of such behaviour.    Members were also concerned about the impact of the driver’s behaviour on the staff at the venue.  This was considered intimidating, and had caused distress and anxiety.  The fact that the driver had physically moved barriers, disregarded instructions, and spoken to staff in the manner alleged, and allegedly driven at speed in the car park, was unacceptable behaviour.   In serving the suspension, the driver would be advised of their right of appeal and confirmation that the suspension would take effect at the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was given.   Resolved that –   in respect of the driver in question, their Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be suspended until such time as the driver could provide written confirmation of attendance of a specific course on ‘Taxi Driver Proficiency’ to be delivered by The Blue Lamp Trust.

Date of Decision: February 2, 2026