Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver, from applicant - 001173 who has previously been revoked by this authority.

Applicant – 001173 attended the meeting was given the opportunity to make representations.

The report detailed the following:  

- A copy of the Cleveland Police Conditional Bail document.

- A copy of applicant – 001773’s application form, including DVLA check code.

- A copy of a summary transcript between the applicant and licensing officers.

- A copy of the Revocation of Driver’s License letter.

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

Applicant - 001773 appeared before the Committee in relation to his application due to previously being revoked by this authority, which related to an alleged offence of ‘Sexual assault’.

The Committee Members were presented with the officers’ report. Committee Members and applicant - 001773 had the opportunity to ask questions of the officer’s report.

The main topics discussed were as follows:

Applicant – 001173 explained to Members that the person that had made the allegation was known to them and had a pre-existing relationship with that person’s parents.

It was due to Applicant – 001173 agreeing to pick up the accuser and one other person on the night of the alleged assault.

Applicant – 001173 stated that he made the first stop at the agreed location for the second passenger before proceeding to the agreed location of the accuser. Applicant – 001173 also stated that after completing the first part of the journey he allowed the accuser to move into the front seat.

Members questioned Applicant – 001173 on why he had allowed the passenger to move seats and didn’t simply complete the journey instead.

Applicant – 001173 agreed that with hindsight he shouldn’t have allowed it and would in future insist that all passengers remain seated in the back of the taxi.

Applicant – 001173 assured members of the committee that the allegation had been unfounded and the Police had not proceeded with the case. He also stated that he had been a Driver for over 20 years with a good record prior to this incident.

The Committee had considered all the information before them and listened to what Applicant – 001173 and the licensing officers had said to them.

The Committee felt they were not currently able to determine that applicant - 001173 was a fit and proper person, as the committee was concerned about the inconsistencies between the information presented in the papers and what applicant – 001173 had presented at the Committee hearing.

The Committee had determined that applicant – 001173’s application be refused.

RESOLVED that applicant –001173’s application for a private hire drivers’ licence be refused for the reasons as detailed above.