The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Hearing Panel considered the content of the report and the written and oral representations made by the Licensing Unit officer and AQ who was represented by 2 members of the Airport Taxi Association, Mr N Ahmed and Mr Z Amir.

The Licensing Unit officer addressed the Hearing Panel stating that AQ provided information to the Licensing Unit following a routine request in December 2022. The summary showed an undisclosed SP30 speeding conviction on 29 June 2022, with 3 penalty points. The Licensing Unit issued a warning letter AQ due to the lack of notfication. AQ then provided information about a further speeding offence in January 2023 and a notice of intended prosecution in February 2023 for yet another speeding offence. As such, AQ has three speeding convictions within the last 12 months, incurring 9 penalty points, which falls within the guidelines.

The Hearing Panel sought clarity on the offences and Mr N Ahmed confirmed instances of AQ driving at 36/7 in a 30 zone and 48 in a 40 zone.

Mr N Ahmed addressed the Hearing Panel on behalf of AQ and stated that they had no objection to any of the information provided in the report. It was stated that AQ had been a taxi driver since 2001 and that AQ had a good history in the trade. Mr Ahmed drew the Panel’s attention to taxi drivers shifts which can be 5/6 days per week and 10 hours in length, which is a long time to spend on the road. Mr Ahmed mentioned financial issues facing AQ in that a recent renewal had cost over £3,000, which had doubled since the previous year. Mr Ahmed then explained that AQ had previously been based at Manchester Airport since 2001. During Covid, AQ’s airport permit lapsed as it had not been renewed in the allotted 3 month period due to the lack of work in this area. AQ now worked in the town centre which was much busier and more hectic than their previous airport position, plus AQ would be taking on extra work since Covid pushed many drivers out of the trade. AQ had a £850 mortgage, 4 children and needed a minimum of £2,000 per month to survive. Mr Ahmed expressed that AQ had broken the speed limits as stated in the report but added that there was an impending move to electric vehicles which would cost £40,000. Mr Ahmed requested that the Hearing Panel consider the gravity of AQ’s situation if they were unable to continue in the taxi trade. AQ was extremely sorry for his convictions and was not trying to make any excuses.

AQ then addressed the Hearing Panel to express their apology for the convictions and added that this was their first appearance in front of the Hearing Panel in many years of licenced driving for the city council. AQ explained that they would do their best not to repeat the offence as 3 more points would see them lose their licence. AQ requested that the Hearing Panel kindly take no further action and made a promise not to be called in front of them again.

In responding to the Licensing Unit officer, AQ confirmed that the offences had been made in their licenced vehicle, once with a passenger on board and took note of the comment regarding public safety.

In summing up on behalf of AQ, Mr Ahmed stated that AQ was very sorry and added that 1 speed camera had been fixed and the other 2 had been police speed traps and that AQ realised that these offences were safety issues. Mr Ahmed concluded by stating that he knew AQ very well and reiterated his overall clean history in 22 years of service.

In their deliberations, the Hearing Panel noted that the offences were concerning but considered AQ’s long history as a licenced driver and commitment to the service.

AQ summed up by stating that they were sorry and that it would not happen again.

Decision

To take no further action with regard to AQ’s licence.