Agenda item

The Service Director Legal Services will submit a report regarding the outcome of an appeal made to the Crown Court by a Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver following a decision made by the General Licensing Regulatory Board Panel.

The Service Director Legal Services submitted a report providing an overview of the outcome of an appeal made to the Magistrates Court and Crown Court by a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver following a decision made by a General Licensing Regulatory Board Panel to revoke his driver licence.

The General Licensing Regulatory Board Panel had made its decision to revoke the licence on the 8^th January 2019.  The case was then presented to Barnsley Magistrates Court on 11^th July, 2019 by way of an appeal. 

In dismissing the appeal the Magistrates had stated that the Council had acted appropriately in revoking the drivers licence.  The appeal had therefore been dismissed and the driver had been ordered to pay £900 in costs to Barnsley MBC.

Following the dismissal of the appeal by the Magistrates Court, the Driver lodged a further appeal at Sheffield Crown Court heard on 6^th December, 2019.  The Crown Court also dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the Magistrates Court and ordered the Driver to pay an further sum of £622.50 towards the Local Authority’s costs.

Members commented that it was encouraging to see the support from Magistrates and Crown Courts upholding decisions made by Officers and the Panel, proving that the right decisions were being made.

Members expressed their gratitude and gave thanks to the Legal Team in representing the Authority in Court on both occasions.  It was testament to the excellent and hard work of Officers and Panel members in bringing the driver to justice and making the safety of Barnsley’s travelling public paramount.

RESOLVED:

(i)      that the report be noted; and

(ii)     that the Board place on record their thanks and appreciation to all involved for their continued hard work in supporting the Licensing Function and in ensuring the safety of the travelling public.