The Miscellaneous Licensing Committee of Cornwall Council met on Friday 8 May 2026 to consider several applications and reviews concerning Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licences, as well as reviews of existing licences. The committee refused applications for driver's licences WD227 and E1D219, refused the renewal of driver's licence WD226, revoked private hire vehicle licence WV172, and revoked private hire operator licence W03. The committee granted the application for driver's licence WD228 and refused the renewal of driver's licence E1D220.

Application to Renew a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD226

At the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee meeting on 8 May 2026, Councillor David Saunby declared a non-registerable interest in this item due to knowing the applicant and left the room before its consideration. The committee refused the application for the renewal of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for Applicant WD226, deeming her not to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The committee noted that WD226 had received seven points on her driving licence for two separate speeding offences and had failed to notify the Council of these points, despite it being a condition of her licence. Furthermore, she had moved address without informing the Council, another breach of her licence conditions. She also failed to disclose these endorsements on her licence renewal application.

WD226 stated that a medical condition may have contributed to her non-compliance with licence conditions, and she had put in place additional support to prevent future mistakes. She also reported experiencing stress and anxiety, but her circumstances had since changed, and she now had support.

The committee referred to the Council's Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy, which states that accumulating seven or more penalty points on a DVLA licence may indicate a driver is not fit and proper. Considering all the information, the committee concluded that WD226 was not a fit and proper person to hold the licence. They also considered whether they would allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD226, and concluded they would not. The committee emphasised their overriding duty to protect the public and deemed the refusal reasonable and proportionate.

Review of Private Hire Vehicle Licence - WV172

Councillor David Saunby declared a non-registerable interest in this item and left the room prior to its consideration. The committee resolved to revoke the vehicle licence WV172, as the holder was not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The reasons for the decision mirrored those for WD226, including the holder of WV172 receiving seven points on their driver's licence for two speeding offences and failing to notify the Council of these points or their change of address, both breaches of licence conditions. Additionally, in December 2023, the holder had been warned via email about parking her private hire vehicle on a taxi rank, which was a potential offence.

The licence holder stated that a medical condition may have affected her compliance with licence conditions, and she had implemented additional support. She also reported experiencing stress and anxiety, but her circumstances had improved. The committee considered the Council's Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy regarding the Fit and Proper Test for Vehicle Proprietors and concluded that the holder was not suitable. They reiterated their commitment to public safety and deemed the revocation reasonable and proportionate.

Review of Private Hire Operators Licence - W03

Councillor David Saunby declared a non-registerable interest in this item and left the room prior to its consideration. The committee resolved to revoke the Private Hire Operator Licence W03, as the holder was not considered a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The reasons for the decision were similar to those for WV172. The holder of W03 had received seven points on her driver's licence for two speeding offences and had failed to notify the Council of these points or her change of address, breaching licence conditions. She also stated that a medical condition may have contributed to her non-compliance and that she had implemented additional support. The committee considered the Council's Statement of Practices, Procedures and Policy regarding the Fit and Proper Test for Private Hire Operators and concluded that the holder was not suitable. Public safety was highlighted as the overriding consideration.

Application for Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD227

The committee refused the application for the Grant of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for Applicant WD227, deeming him not to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The committee noted that the applicant had a conviction for drink driving in November 2023. The Council's 'Guidelines for determining suitability of applicants and licensees in relation to convictions, cautions, endorsements etc' state that a licence will not be granted until at least seven years have elapsed since the completion of any sentence or driving ban. As WD227 was within this period, and the committee found no sufficient evidence to depart from these guidelines, the application was refused. Additionally, HR Safeguarding responded that they did not consider WD227 to be suitable at that time. The committee concluded they would not allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD227, citing their duty to protect the public.

Application for Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - WD228

The committee granted the application for the Grant of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for Applicant WD228, considering him to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The committee noted that WD228 had a conviction for offences involving violence. The Council's 'Guidelines for determining suitability of applicants and licensees in relation to convictions, cautions, endorsements etc' state that a licence will not be granted until at least 10 years have elapsed since the completion of any sentence imposed. While WD228 was within this period, the committee felt there was sufficient evidence provided by the applicant to depart from these guidelines in this specific instance. WD228 stated he accepted he was in the wrong, that it was a one-off, and out of character. He had since obtained a personal licence and run a pub. HR Safeguarding considered WD228 to be suitable. The committee concluded they would allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by WD228, and deemed the decision appropriate and in the public interest.

Application for Grant of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - E1D219

The committee refused the application for the Grant of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for Applicant E1D219, deeming him not to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

Similar to WD227, E1D219 had a conviction for drink driving and was within the seven-year period stipulated in the Council's guidelines before a licence could be considered. The committee found no sufficient evidence to depart from these guidelines. HR Safeguarding also indicated they did not consider E1D219 to be suitable. The committee concluded they would not allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by E1D219, citing their duty to protect the public.

Application for Renewal of Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence - E1D220

The committee refused the application for the Renewal of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence for Applicant E1D220, deeming him not to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.

The committee noted serious issues including E1D220's failure to disclose penalty points on his licence, failure to subscribe to the DBS Update Service, and continuing to drive as a licensed taxi driver after his licence had been suspended by the Council. E1D220 stated he had not checked his emails or other correspondence, which concerned the committee. It was noted that E1D220 would have been driving without a licence for approximately five months, and that any insurance in place would likely not have been valid. The committee concluded that E1D220 was not a fit and proper person to hold the licence and that they would not allow a person for whom they care to travel alone in a vehicle driven by him, citing their duty to protect the public.