Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine the continued fitness of licensed Hackney Carriage Driver - 001134 who’s vehicle was stopped during a joint operation by Cleveland Police Road Policing Unit alongside Licensing Officers due to his manner of driving.

Prior to the hearing, a discussion took place with Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 and Mr Ali, who Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 wished to assist him throughout the hearing. After several discussions, it was agreed that Mr Ali could attend the hearing to represent Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134, however it was noted that this was as a representative, rather than as an interpreter. Mr Ali understood that his role was to present the case on behalf of Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134, and that Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 would be required to answer the Committee’s questions himself.

Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 and Mr Ali representing hackney carriage driver - 001134 were in attendance and given the opportunity to make representation,

Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting. 

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of a statement detailing an incident involving Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 during September 2024

- A copy of a summary transcript of an interview with Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 and Licensing Officers.

The Chair introduced everyone present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

Members of the Council’s General Licensing Committee considered the above matter, full details of which appeared before the Members in their agenda and background papers.

The Committee understood that the matter before them was to determine the continued fitness of licenced Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 as detailed in the Committee report and appendices.

The Committee heard that Council records confirmed that Hackney Carriage Driver -  001134 had been licenced with the Authority since before 2004.

The Committee were told that on Friday 27th September 2024, police and licensing officers conducted a compliance check operation on Council licensed private hire and hackney carriage vehicles. The Committee heard that whilst travelling down Norton Road, near Hills Drive, in the direction of Stockton-on-Tees at 00:30 hours on Saturday 28th September 2024, a hackney carriage vehicle was witnessed travelling in the opposite direction, towards Norton High Street.

The Committee heard that officers decided to carry out a routine check on the vehicle, turned around and began to follow the vehicle along Norton Road. The Committee were told that it was clear to the licensing officers and the police officer that something was distracting the driver, as on at least three occasions the vehicle crossed the central white line and drove onto the other side of the road.

The Committee were informed that the driver was believed to be travelling above the 30mph statutory speed limit, as the driver was estimated to be travelling at 40 to 47mph, due to the time it took for the police vehicle to catch up to it and the speed of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27