Fareham Borough Council's licensing panel has revoked two private hire drivers' licences. The decision names the drivers only as Mr B and Mr K. The panel sat in private at 1.30pm on 13 October 2026, in the Collingwood Room at the Civic Offices, and excluded the public and the press. Licensing panel decision of 13 October 2026 The Daily Echo reported the outcome on 23 October 2026. Daily Echo report
Mr K
Mr K received a caution on 24 December 2025 for criminal damage arising from an incident on 7 July 2025. He did not tell the licensing authority when the caution was received. Mr K explained that he had been suffering from difficult personal circumstances, and he expressed regret for failing to inform the authority.
The council has adopted the Institute of Licensing guidance as its policy. That guidance treats offences involving violence against property as relevant when a private hire driver's suitability is assessed.
A complaint of aggressive driving was also before the panel. No formal enforcement action followed it. The complaint alleged tailgating, undertaking, overtaking and inappropriate conduct towards another road user. Mr K disputed parts of the account, denied verbally abusing another driver, and gave brake checking by the other driver as his reason for overtaking.
The complaint formed part of the overall picture. The panel was not satisfied that he remains a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver's licence, and it revoked the licence. The revocation takes effect immediately when he receives the notice, under section 61(2B) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. In the decision, immediate revocation is "both proportionate and necessary in the interests of public safety."
Mr B
Mr B pleaded guilty to failing to provide driver details and was sentenced on 13 August 2026. He received six penalty points on his driving licence and a fine. The decision does not give the amount of the fine.
The vehicle had been bought for his nephew, but it remained registered and financed in Mr B's name. He was not driving at the time of the original offence. When he was asked to name the driver, he relied on information from his nephew.
Three points were recorded in his favour: no previous complaints, no convictions on his DBS disclosure, and the fact that he had notified the licensing authority of the endorsement. The concern that remained was that he kept responsibility for a vehicle registered and financed in his name while knowing little of who was driving it, and that he could not check the information he gave the authorities. He was convicted of failing to provide the information required of him as the registered keeper.
He entered the guilty plea on legal advice. The decision notes that he nonetheless accepted criminal responsibility in court. Members described the circumstances as "a significant failure to exercise the standards of responsibility expected of a licensed private hire driver", and revoked the licence.
An immediate revocation was not found necessary in the interests of public safety. The revocation takes effect at the end of the 21-day appeal period, beginning on the day notice is given to him. If he lodges an appeal, it takes effect only when that appeal is determined.
Appeals
Each driver may appeal to the magistrates' court within 21 days of receiving formal notice of the decision.