The Urgent Driver/Operator/Vehicle Sub Committee of Cornwall Council convened on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, and made the decision to revoke the licenses of three individuals: a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver, a Private Hire Vehicle Licence holder, and a Private Hire Operator. These decisions were made due to concerns about the conduct and suitability of the individuals to hold such licenses. Councillor Jane Pascoe chaired the meeting.

Revocation of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD199

The committee resolved to revoke WD199's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence with immediate effect. The decision was made under Section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976¹ to promote public safety. The committee noted that WD199 was not in attendance at the meeting, despite indicating earlier that he would attend. They also noted several concerns regarding WD199's conduct:

• A warning letter issued by Licensing Compliance on 23 October 2024, regarding inappropriate language used during a phone conversation with a council officer.
• Failure to notify the Licensing department within the stipulated timeframe about a conviction in December 2024, discovered during a 6-month DBS check[^2]. [^2]: A DBS check is a check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service, which helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevents unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.
• Discrepancies between WD199's explanation of the December 2024 offence and the details on the certificate of conviction.
• Failure to inform the Licensing department about an allegation of sexual assault made against him in 2021.
• Changing his name via deed poll on 20 March 2025, and only informing the licensing department on 31 March 2025.
• An allegation from 27 March 2025, that WD199 was operating as a Hackney Carriage without the appropriate vehicle licence, undercutting standard fares, and employing an un-DBS checked driver.

The committee stated:

Members had regard to the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and considered whether, based on the information before them, they would allow a person for whom they care, regardless of their condition, to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD199 at any time of the day or night. Taking all matters into account, Members concluded that they would not.

Revocation of Private Hire Vehicle Licence - WV167

The committee resolved to revoke WV167’s Private Hire Vehicle Licence. The decision was made because the Sub-Committee did not consider WV167 to be a fit and proper person to hold such a Licence.

Similar to the previous case, WV167 was not in attendance. The committee highlighted the following concerns:

• A warning letter issued by Licensing Compliance on 23 October 2024, regarding inappropriate language.
• Failure to notify the Licensing department of a conviction in December 2024 within the required timeframe.
• Discrepancies between WV167's explanation of the offence and the certificate of conviction.
• Failure to inform the Licensing department about an allegation of sexual assault made against him in 2021.
• Changing his name via deed poll on 20 March 2025, and only informing the licensing department on 31 March 2025.
• An allegation that WV167 was operating as a Hackney Carriage without the appropriate vehicle licence, undercutting fares, and employing an un-DBS checked driver.

The committee concluded that WV167 was not a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Licence due to his behaviour, conviction, and the allegations made against him.

Revocation of Private Hire Operators Licence - WO1

The committee resolved to revoke WO1’s Private Hire Operators Licence, because the Sub-Committee did not consider WO1 to be a fit and proper person to hold such a Licence.

Again, WO1 was not in attendance. The committee noted the following concerns:

• A warning letter issued by Licensing Compliance on 23 October 2024, regarding inappropriate language.
• Failure to notify the Licensing department of a conviction in December 2024 within the required timeframe.
• Discrepancies between WO1's explanation of the offence and the certificate of conviction.
• Failure to inform the Licensing department about an allegation of sexual assault made against him in 2021.
• Changing his name via deed poll on 20 March 2025, and only informing the licensing department on 31 March 2025.
• An allegation that WO1 was operating as a Hackney Carriage without the appropriate vehicle licence, undercutting fares, and employing an un-DBS checked driver.

The members did not feel that WO1 was a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Operators Licence due to his behaviour, conviction and the allegations made against him.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the licensing reviews, citing that the discussions would likely involve the disclosure of information relating to individuals.