The Miscellaneous Licensing Committee of Cornwall Council met on Friday 06 February 2026 to discuss licensing fees, policies, and individual licence applications. Key decisions included recommending to Council the approval of proposed fee increases for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, and the adoption of an updated fees policy for relevant protected sites. The committee also refused one driver's licence application and revoked two others due to concerns about public safety.

Licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire Vehicles & Operators - Application Fees

The committee considered objections to proposed increases in fees and charges for hackney carriage vehicles, private hire operators, and private hire vehicles. The Licensing Manager outlined that the proposed increase of 8% was intended to recover the costs associated with delivering the service, in line with Section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Despite concerns raised by the trade about the impact of the cost of living crisis and a reduction in earnings, the committee noted the objections and resolved to recommend to the Council that the proposed fees and charges be approved.

Licensing of Relevant Protected Sites - Fees Policy

The committee reviewed an updated Fees Policy for Relevant Protected Sites, which had been amended to include agreed increases in fees and charges. The policy, which is a requirement under the Mobile Homes Act 2013, outlines the fees payable for site licences, variations, transfers, and annual fees. The committee resolved to recommend to the Council that the amended policy document be approved.

Application to Licence Private Hire Vehicle - W2V79

An application to license a Chrysler 300C Limousine as a Private Hire vehicle was deferred to the next meeting following a request from the applicant. The vehicle, a left-hand drive limousine registered in 2007, did not meet the council's standard specifications, particularly concerning its age, seating configuration, and imported status. The committee was asked to consider whether to depart from the established policy to grant the licence.

Application for Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - CD295

The committee refused an application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for applicant CD295. The decision was based on the applicant having 9 points on their DVLA licence for minor traffic offences, placing them within a period where a licence would typically not be granted for at least five years since the completion of any sentence. Furthermore, CD295 had failed to notify the council of these points, which is a requirement. While a very old DBS check was noted, it was not given weight. The committee concluded that, on balance, CD295 was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence, prioritising public and public safety.

Review of Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD220

The committee revoked the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence of WD220 with immediate effect due to concerns for public safety. WD220 had accumulated 9 points on their driver's licence for three separate speeding offences and had failed to notify the council of these points. Similar to the CD295 case, WD220 fell within the five-year period stipulated in the council's guidelines for licence applications following multiple endorsements. The committee determined that WD220 was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence, citing the need to protect the public.

Review of Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD219

The committee also revoked the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence of WD219 with immediate effect. The reasons for this decision were not detailed in the public minutes, but the agenda item indicated it was due to the driver's conduct and matters set out in the report, leading the committee to deem WD219 not a fit and proper person to hold the licence.

Review of Private Hire Operator's Licence - WO2

The committee revoked WO2's Private Hire Operator's Licence. The decision was made due to the conduct of WO2, who was not considered a fit and proper person to hold the licence. This followed an arrest on suspicion of rape, which occurred years prior to the arrest. The committee noted that while no conviction had occurred, the allegation of a serious offence suggested a potential risk to the public, and public safety was the principal consideration.

Review of Private Hire Vehicle Licence - WV171

WV171's Private Hire Vehicle Licence was revoked due to the conduct of WV171, who was not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. This decision was made in light of an arrest for an alleged historical rape offence. The committee highlighted that public safety was the primary consideration and that the allegation, even without a conviction, raised concerns about the licence holder's suitability.

Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD217

The committee revoked WD217's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence with immediate effect. The decision was based on concerns regarding the driver's past alleged behaviours, including investigations into child sex offences, domestic abuse, and violence. Despite no charges being brought for the child sex offences, the police held records of WD217's behaviours of sexual interest in children, domestic abuse, violence, and aggressive/threats or fear of violence. Given that WD217 worked on school contracts, the committee deemed it necessary to protect the public and concluded that WD217 was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.