The Licensing and Safety Committee's meeting on 19 December 2024 will include a report on the Licensing Service’s operational activity and discussions on whether to grant a new licence to a driver.

Operational Report

The meeting will include the Licensing Service's report on its operations. This covers compliance and enforcement matters relating to licensed premises between 4 November and 8 December 2024.

The report also notes the outcomes of two recent licensing hearings. The Licensing Hearings Sub-Committee refused an application for a new licence at Krakow Grocery on Parkhills Road in Bury. This followed representations from Greater Manchester Police, Trading Standards, and the Licensing Authority. An application relating to Prestwich Mini Market on Fairfax Road in Prestwich was withdrawn before the meeting.

Councillors will be reminded of their previous decision to implement a policy requiring taxi drivers in the borough to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This includes a requirement for drivers to sign up for the DBS Update Service. The policy is part of the council's adoption of the Common Minimum Licensing Standards. The report confirms that a contract has now been awarded to undertake the checks.

The report also notes that a previously licensed driver has been prosecuted for fraudulently claiming to hold a Bury Council licence. The unnamed person was given a suspended custodial sentence, 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

The Licensing Service have taken advice from the Council’s legal Department, and they have confirmed that due to the previous decision of this Committee and Full Council, there is no requirement for a further report to be placed before the committee.

- Operational Report, Licensing and Safety Committee, 19 December 2024

Application for Public / Private Hire Driver Licence

Councillors will consider a report about an application for a taxi driver's licence. This applicant previously had a licence revoked. The report is not public as it contains exempt information under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. This section allows councils to withhold information relating to an individual who holds, or has applied for, a licence from a local authority.