This week, the council held two meetings, with significant decisions made during the Licensing Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 June 2024, was postponed.

Licensing Committee - 25 June 2024

Refusal of Application for Renewal of Dual Driver's Licence - Item 7

The Licensing Committee reviewed an application for the renewal of a dual driver's licence from an individual who had recently received a caution for common assault. After hearing from the applicant, their representative, and the Senior Licensing Officer, the committee decided to refuse the application. The decision was based on the applicant not meeting the fit and proper person standard required by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976¹.

The Licensing Committee accepted that a caution is at the lower end of the scale of criminal sanctions and that the circumstances surrounding the offence and the applicant’s history as a licensed driver may have allowed the Licensing Committee to reduce the conviction free period required in the policy, however this incident only took place around eight weeks ago.

The committee's decision was guided by Wyre Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy, which treats cautions as convictions.

Refusal of Application for Renewal of Dual Driver's Licence - Item 8

In another case, the committee considered an application where the applicant's medical fitness to hold a dual driver's licence was questioned. Councillor Baxter inquired about the impact of the applicant's medication on their driving, and the applicant confirmed there was none. Councillor Rushforth sought clarification about blackouts the applicant had experienced.

Councillor Ellison asked the applicant if he had glasses for driving. The applicant confirmed he did.

Despite hearing that the applicant had made significant and permanent changes to their lifestyle following health issues, the committee ultimately decided that the applicant did not meet the Group 2 medical standards required for drivers of licensed vehicles like buses and HGVs. Consequently, the application was refused on the grounds that the applicant did not meet the required standard to hold a licence.

Postponed Meeting

The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 June 2024, was postponed. No further details were provided.