Issue - meetings

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence from Applicant - 158251 who had previously held a combined licence with this authority, and which was revoked by this Licensing Committee.

The Licensing Team Leader explained to the Committee that Applicant - 158251 was not in attendance at the hearing, despite being made aware of it. The Licensing Team Leader told the Committee that Applicant - 158251 had requested to withdraw his application, citing personal reasons for no longer wishing to be a licenced driver.

The Committee decided to continue to determine the application. If the application were to be refused, this would be added to the National Register of Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S), whereas a withdrawal would not be recorded.

Bearing in mind the seriousness of the concerns raised, the Committee felt that it was proportionate and appropriate to determine the matter before them, despite the applicant’s request to withdraw it.

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

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of Applicant – 158251’s application

- A copy of a revocation letter to Applicant – 158251 revoking his licence and the reasons why from Middlesbrough Council.

- A copy of a summary transcript between Licensing Officers and Applicant – 158251.

The Committee understood that the matter before them was to determine an application for a private hire vehicle driver licence as detailed in the Committee report and appendices.

The Committee heard that Applicant – 158251 was previously licensed as a private hire driver with Middlesbrough Council for eleven weeks, from 16th May to 30th July 2024, when his licence was revoked. The Committee were told that officers were made aware of this following a search of the NR3S database, and that Applicant – 158251 did not declare holding a licence with Middlesbrough Council or being revoked by them on his application form.

The Committee heard that Middlesbrough Council provided the licensing team with a copy of the revocation decision letter sent to Applicant – 158251, outlining their reasons for the revocation of his licence. The Committee were told that the letter stated that information was received on 26th July 2024, by Middlesbrough Council, from an employee of James Cook Hospital. The Committee heard that the hospital employee reported that at approximately 7:00pm on 24th July 2024, she and her partner had witnessed Applicant – 158251 standing outside his private hire vehicle masturbating in full view of members of the public.

The Committee were told that Applicant – 158251 had explained to Middlesbrough Council officers during an interview that the reason for his actions was that he was suffering with a medical condition effecting his genital area causing bobbles on his penis. The Committee heard that Applicant – 158251 had told Middlesbrough Council officers that this condition caused him discomfort when sitting, and uncontrollable itching.

The Committee heard that Applicant – 158251 was interviewed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48