The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park. Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Chairman opened the meeting and asked those present to introduce themselves.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2.

1.    Information relating to any individual.

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Resolved:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

1.         Information relating to an individual.

2.         Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which sought to consider whether the Respondent, who had accumulated a total of 20 penalty points on their Swale Driver’s Badge, was a fit and proper person to hold a Swale Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence.

The Licensing Officer detailed the incidents at which the Respondent had accumulated 20 penalty points:

·         Ten penalty points – driving the wrong way on a one-way street; and

·         ten penalty points – failure to ensure the safety of passengers.

The Chairman read-out a letter received on behalf of the Respondent from their employer which stated that the Respondent had five years’ experience with them and there were no records of complaint received.  They further stated that the Respondent was punctual and hard working.

The Chairman asked the Respondent to present their case, and they were asked questions.  The Respondent stated that what had been said was correct.  The Respondent apologised and said that they understood that they had a duty of care to their passengers.

Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee, the Contentious Team Leader, the Lawyer - Contentious, and the Democratic Services Officer adjourned at 10.15am to make their decision.

Members of the Sub-Committee, the Contentious Team Leader, the Lawyer – Contentious and the Democratic Services Officer returned to the meeting at 10.45am and the decision, attached as Appendix I to these minutes was announced.

Resolved:     That the Respondent’s Swale Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence not be suspended, but a warning be given.