Taxi drivers warned over future conduct as Blackpool licences approved

One applicant had two convictions for drink driving, while the other had "numerous criminal convictions that included violent offences and motoring convictions", according to the minutes of the council's public protection sub-committee held on January 21.

Both applicants told councillors they had since turned their lives around and had families they wished to support.

In each case it was decided to grant the licence because although the offences were considered serious, a number of years had since passed and it was felt on balance each driver had " made positive steps to change his life".

However it was agreed in both instances to issue a severe warning letter meaning if the applicant was brought before the sub-committee for any offence in the future, they were likely to lose their licence.

The hearings took place in private and the applicants cannot be named for legal reasons.

During the same meeting the council also suspended another driver's licence until he attended necessary medical and training appointments, while another driver was allowed to keep his licence despite having been convicted of using his mobile phone while driving.

He was given a warning letter after councillors heard he had not declared the conviction to the council until nearly two years later when he came to renew his licence.

The driver said he was operating a satnav at the time and not a mobile phone and was stationary at traffic lights, according to the minutes.