Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

For Approval and Signature

Consideration was given to the General Licensing Committee minutes from the meeting which was held on 4 July 2023 for approval and signature.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence, from Applicant- 155375 who had a relevant conviction, meaning he did not meet current Transport Policy.

Applicant - 155375 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 the application containing a DVLA check code, showing no live DVLA endorsements, is attached as Appendix 1

. a copy of a summary transcript of an interview with Applicant 155375 and Licensing Officers

. a copy of two references in support of Applicants 155375’s application.

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 licence to drive private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.

The Committee heard that Applicant 155375 DBS check confirmed that he had been convicted on 6th September 2016 of:-

• ‘Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug’ (Class B – Cannabis).

The Committee were informed that Applicant 155375 was sentenced to a six-month imprisonment sentence wholly suspended for 18 months, was ordered to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work, and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80.00. The Committee heard that Applicant 155375 was forced to forfeit all drugs and cash seized for destruction.

The Committee heard that Applicant 155375 was interviewed by officers on Friday 21 July 2023, and was asked about the circumstances of his offending. Applicant 155375 had told officers that he was working as a delivery driver and was leaving the takeaway he worked at, when one of his friends got into his vehicle. The Committee were told that Applicant 155375 said that when he came out of the takeaway, having picked up the next food delivery, he saw his friend was being arrested by police who had found drugs within his vehicle.

The Committee heard that Applicant 155375 advised officers that when the Police searched his vehicle, they found a few grams of cannabis, which  Applicant 155375 stated was his ‘personal smoke’.

The Committee were also told that Applicant 155375 advised officers in interview that he was given a court date, which he missed, and subsequently handed himself in to the police, and was sent from the Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court where he received his sentence.

The Committee noted that a drugs test was carried out with Applicant 155375 which tests for six illegal substances. Applicant 155375 provided a negative sample.

The Committee heard that Applicant 155375  did not meet the Council’s current Policy as 10 years had not elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed in 2016.

Applicant 155375 explained to the Committee that his motivation for applying to be licenced by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council was to be able to get a ‘proper job’ in order to support his family financially.  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/21/23