On 28 July 2026 Bolton’s Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee refused an application for a licence to drive a private hire vehicle. The applicant is not named. The press and public were excluded. The minutes
The Director of Place reported alleged misconduct. The applicant attended with a representative. Each side had up to 15 minutes.
Why it was refused
The committee took account of a conviction on 24 April 2025 for a breach of the requirements as to control of the vehicle, mobile phones and similar. Under the council’s Statement of Fitness and Suitability that is a major traffic offence, and a conviction less than three years old would generally mean a refusal. This conviction was still inside that period.
He had also failed to declare it. The minutes say that was contrary to the conditions of his licence. They do not say what licence that was. The item itself was an application for a private hire driver’s licence.
The committee found reasonable cause to refuse, and that he was not a fit and proper person at this time.
The vote
Councillor Martin Donaghy moved the refusal and Councillor Anne Galloway seconded it. All 12 members voted for it. Nobody voted against and nobody abstained.
The meeting ran from 2pm to 3.21pm. The minutes do not record a fine, any points, or an appeal. A refusal of a private hire driver’s licence can be appealed to the magistrates’ court. The appeal right