Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Sub Committee (Licensing Sub Committee) meeting held by Cambridge City Council on 23 September 2025. The meeting's agenda included procedural items and a significant discussion regarding a licensed driver. It was recommended that the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a recommendation to exclude the press and public from the meeting, referencing paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Driver A's Standing as a Licensed Driver

The central item for consideration was Driver A's standing as a licensed driver with Cambridge City Council. The report pack included documentation pertaining to this matter on pages 11-60.

The report pack outlines the procedure for taxi regulatory hearings, stating that:

Where the Officer considers that the Taxi Regulatory Sub-Committee should decide whether an applicant for a licence is a fit and proper person to hold the licence for which she/he has applied, the Officer will refer the matter to the Sub-Committee.

The procedure also states that the sub-committee may consider enforcement action against a driver or licence applicant for a number of reasons, including:

• Having committed an action covered in levels 1 and 2 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Enforcement System, where they have been interviewed by an officer of the Commercial & Licensing Team in the previous 12 month period and a final written warning has been given.
• Having been convicted of any offence of a sexual nature, or involving possession or supply of drugs, dishonesty, or violence which is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974¹.
• Having been convicted within the last 5 years of more than one offence of drunkenness or related.
• Having held their DVLA driver's licence for less than 2 years after its return as a result of suspension for any reason.
• Having been convicted of any offence relating to alcohol and motor vehicles which is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Having been convicted within the past 3 years of any offence which has resulted in 6 or more points being attached to their DVLA driver's licence.
• Having been convicted within 1 year of any combination of offences which has resulted in more than 6 points being attached to their DVLA driver's licence.
• Having more than 9 points attached to their DVLA driver's licence at the time of application for grant or renewal of a licence, or during the life of an existing licence
• Having one or more convictions relating to the Town Police Clauses Act 1847², Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976³, Part IV of the Transport Act 1980⁴, Part I of the Health Act 2006⁵, or Chapter 1 of Part 12 of the Equality Act 2010⁶ which is not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Being found to be living or working in the UK without the required authorisation, or if they have committed any offences arising from Asylum & Immigration matters.
• Failing the initial or refresher safeguarding training test paper on three occasions or fails to complete the training as required by the Council.
• Presenting a medical assessment (or makes a declaration) for consideration but does not declare them unfit to drive.
• If there is intelligence, supplementary information or any other reasonable cause where officers have concerns about the grant or the continuation of a licence.