The meeting was scheduled to consider appeals against six licensing and planning decisions made by Kent County Council. The meeting was also scheduled to consider whether to exclude the press and public from the meeting.

Appeals against decisions made by Kent County Council

The most significant items scheduled for discussion were six appeals against licensing and planning enforcement decisions made by Kent County Council. The appeals related to the following cases.

1. Mr A. Smith - Taxi Driver's Licence - The Appellant had their Taxi Driver's Licence revoked. The provided statement from Mr Smith says that he believes the decision was disproportionate given the nature of the complaint that was made against him.
2. Bluebird Coaches - Public Service Vehicle Operator's Licence - This was an appeal against the decision to refuse to grant Bluebird Coaches a Public Service Vehicle Operator's Licence. Bluebird Coaches operate coach services in the south east of England. The report pack notes that > Kent County Council has previously received a number of complaints regarding the conduct of drivers employed by Bluebird Coaches, and is concerned that the company does not do enough to ensure its drivers treat passengers and other road users with respect.
3. Mr and Mrs Jones - Planning Enforcement - This was an appeal against a Planning Enforcement decision requiring Mr and Mrs Jones to demolish a garden building. Mr and Mrs Jones had erected the outbuilding in their back garden at their property in Sevenoaks, without planning permission, and the Council decided that it was too large, and too close to their neighbour's fence.
4. Acme Construction - Planning Enforcement - This was an appeal against a Planning Enforcement decision requiring Acme Construction to stop using a site as a builders yard. The company, which is based in Ashford, had been using the site to store building materials, plant and machinery, and the Council had received complaints about noise and dust.
5. Mr B. Jones - Hackney Carriage Licence - Mr Jones had applied for a Hackney Carriage Licence to operate in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, which had been rejected on the grounds that he had not demonstrated that he had an adequate knowledge of the streets and places of interest in the Borough.
6. Mr J. Bloggs - Taxi Driver's Licence - This was an appeal against the decision to refuse to grant Mr Bloggs a Taxi Driver's Licence. Mr Bloggs had been convicted of driving whilst disqualified five years previously, and the council argued that this meant he was not a fit and proper person to hold a Taxi Driver's Licence.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A motion was scheduled to be moved to exclude the press and public from the meeting. The report states that the meeting

involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act This refers to the Local Government Act 1972¹.