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LICENCE RETAINED: North Yorkshire councillors spare taxi driver’s licence after hearing representation
A North Yorkshire taxi driver has avoided losing their licence after a licensing committee hearing concluded with councillors deciding not to revoke the driver’s licence following a review of the case.
The outcome was revealed by Keighley Central councillor Vaz Shabir, who said he became involved after being approached by the driver shortly before an original licensing hearing scheduled for 20 June.
According to Shabir, he contacted North Yorkshire Council to request an adjournment, allowing additional time to prepare the driver’s case. He also said the driver was able to have their taxi licence temporarily reinstated while awaiting the rescheduled hearing.
Shabir said: “He was told he was dead and buried, I won't go into the specific details but after reviewing the case I put forward mitigating circumstances and an administrative error that could have seemed that one charge it was factual, when it was not.”
The hearing was subsequently reconvened in Skipton, where Shabir said he represented the driver before the licensing panel. He added: “Today, at the new hearing, I represented the Keighley Central resident at the Skipton hearing and got him a result he got scarcely believe! This is what good representation looks like. I was prepared. A massive thanks to the 3 councillors in North Yorkshire who used discretion and common sense. Well done them.”
North Yorkshire Council has not publicly commented on the individual case or confirmed the reasons behind the committee’s decision. Licensing hearings are generally held to determine whether licensed taxi and private hire drivers remain fit and proper persons to hold a licence, with committees able to take into account the evidence presented, mitigating circumstances and the public interest before reaching a decision.
Shabir said the decision meant the driver could continue working and supporting their family, adding: “This was why I entered Politics, saved a man his job so he can continue to look after his family.”
