Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, from Applicant 062932 who had previously held a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence with this authority, and which was revoked via the Councils delegated Decision process.

Applicant 062932 attended the meeting and was 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 Applicant 062932’s application, including a DVLA check code and a current full licence with no endorsements.

. A summary transcript of an interview with Applicant 062932 and Licensing Officers which was held 13 March 2024.

. A copy of an ‘Intention to Revoke’ letter dated 28 February 2023, to Applicant 062932.

. A copy of Applicant 062932’s written comments dated 2 March 2023.

. A copy of a written letter of support for Applicant 062932.

. A copy of the delegated decision and revocation letter to Applicant 062932.

. A copy of an email from Stockon Borough Councils lawyer outlining a summary of a court decision dismissing Applicant 062932’s appeal which stated that Applicant 062932 was not a fit and proper person.

. A copy of the refusal letter to Applicant 062932 from when Applicant 062932 first applied for a licence in 2003.

. A copy of the grant letter to Applicant 062932 from when Applicant 062932 applied for a licence in 2006 as Applicant 062932 was compliant with the Councils transport policy relevance of convictions guidelines.

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

The Committee noted that the application was for the grant of an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence.

The Committee noted that Applicant 062932’s previous combined licence was revoked in February 2023, due to testing positive for cannabis following a random drug test, conducted whilst Applicant 062932 was working in his licenced vehicle. The Committee heard that it was standard practice for new applications to come before them for determination following a revocation. 

The Committee were informed that during an interview with licensing officers, Applicant 062932 advised them that he was a fit and proper person because he was not a drug user. The Committee were told that initially, Applicant 062932 denied to officers that he had taken drugs. The Committee heard that Applicant 062932’s explanation of the circumstances that led to his positive drug test result then changed; Applicant 062932 later admitted to ‘smoking a joint’ on his day off, a few days prior to the positive drugs test result.

The Committee heard that during the interview, Applicant 062932 advised officers that he would not even think of being intoxicated whilst working as a taxi driver and stated that he had previously been a licensed driver for around sixteen years and had never been in trouble before.

The Committee heard that Applicant 062932 had exercised his right  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7