Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 the continued fitness of private hire driver - 140921 due to concerns raised over his alcohol consumption

Private Hire Driver – 140921 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 a statement provided by a member of the Licensing Team who received a call from private hire driver – 140921 where he sounded intoxicated.

- A copy of a statement provided by a Licensing Officer after the continuing the above-mentioned phone call with private hire driver – 140921.

-  A copy of summary transcripts following an interview with a Licensing Officer and private hire driver – 140921.

- A copy of a screenshot of part of a medical assessment which showed how many units of alcohol private hire driver – 140921 had declared to his GP that he drank on a weekly basis.

- A copy of a suspension letter to private hire driver – 140921 from the Licensing Service.

- A copy of a Licensing Officer’s statement following a further telephone conversation with private hire driver – 140921.

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

The Committee Members were presented with the officers’ report and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officers and private hire driver – 140921.

The Committee reviewed all the information provided and considered the submissions made by both private hire driver – 140921 and the officer.

The Committee heard that private hire driver – 140921 has been a licensed by the authority to drive private hire vehicles since November 2015.

The Committee were told that at approximately 9:30am on Wednesday 19th February 2025, the licensing administration team received a telephone call from private hire driver – 140921, who sounded intoxicated; he was not making sense and was slurring his words. The Committee heard that due to these concerns, the call taker transferred private hire driver – 140921’s call through to a licensing officer. The Committee were told that private hire driver – 140921 sounded very intoxicated and was changing topics frequently.

The Committee were informed that enquires were subsequently made with Royal Cars, who confirmed that private hire driver – 140921 had not logged on to their system to accept bookings and had not worked for them that day.

The Committee heard that private hire driver – 140921 was interviewed in relation to those concerns on 11 March 2025 and was asked about the telephone call. The Committee heard from the Licensing Officer that private hire driver – 140921 had stated that he had attended a party the night before, describing it as an ‘all night job’. The Committee were told that private hire driver – 140921 had confirmed that he did not get home until around 8:30am that morning and may have therefore been ‘a bit squiffy from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/9/25

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a private hire driver licence from Applicant- 159077 who had provided a DVLA check code with his application showing 8 live DVLA points.

Applicant - 159077 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 – 159077’s application including the DVLA check codes TS10 and CD10.

- A copy of a summary transcript of an interview with Licensing Officers and Applicant – 159077.

- A copy of a letter from Middlesbrough Council to Applicant – 159077 renewing his licence.

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

The Committee Members were presented with the officers’ report and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officers and Applicant - 159077.

The Committee reviewed all the information provided and considered the submissions made by both Applicant – 159077 and the officer.

The Committee considered Applicant – 159077’s explanation of the road traffic incident on 6th June 2024, that led to his conviction on 10th October 2024. Applicant – 159077 explained that he made a split-second decision where his options were to perform an emergency stop and significantly injure the passengers on the bus that you were driving, or to quickly change lanes and go through a red-light signal to avoid injuring a cyclist who had crossed the road without looking. Applicant – 159077  confirmed to the Committee that he had driven for over 30 years without any other accidents, which included driving busses in London for 10 years.  

The Committee determined that Applicant – 159077’s application should be granted, as they found his explanation to be plausible. Applicant – 159077 was required to complete the relevant assessments prior to his licence being issued.

The Council had a duty to ensure, so far as possible, that those licensed to drive hackney carriage and private hire vehicles were suitable persons to do so, that they were safe drivers with good driving records and adequate experience, sober, courteous, mentally and physically fit, honest and not people who would take advantage of their employment to abuse or assault passengers.

Applicant – 159077 was advised that he must always drive in a courteous and professional manner. Licence holders should endeavour to promote the image of the hackney carriage and private hire trade by:

a) complying with this Code of Conduct.

b) complying with all the conditions of their licence and the Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy;

c) always behaving in a professional manner.

Applicant – 159077 was informed that his licence was granted with a warning that should he commit any further motoring offences, receive any convictions, complaints or concerns, he would likely to be referred to appear in front of the Licensing Committee again for determination of his continued fitness to hold a licence, which could result  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/10/25