Agenda and draft minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 26 November 2024.

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 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hire driver licence from Applicant - 158251 who had previously held a combined licence with this authority, and which was revoked by this Licensing Committee.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as a private hire driver with Middlesbrough Council for eleven weeks, from 16th May to 30th July 2024, when his licence was revoked.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 GLC/48/24

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a private hire driver licence from Applicant - 143645 who had re applied for a private hire driver licence, with this authority.

The Licensing Officer explained to the Committee that Applicant - 143645 was not in attendance at the hearing and had requested to defer the hearing for over one month, beyond 20th March 2025, citing his requirement to travel urgently due to his mother’s ill health.

The Committee considered Applicant – 143645’s request, however, decided to continue with the hearing, having taken into account Applicant – 143645’s history of not attending pre-arranged interviews which was one of the concerns before the Committee. The Committee felt that it was appropriate to continue the hearing without Applicant - 143645 being present, despite his request for a deferment.

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

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of Applicant – 143645’s application form, including his DVLA licence and check code

- A copy of a suspension notice to Applicant – 143645 from this authority.

- A copy of a summary transcript between Applicant – 143645 and Licensing Officers.

- A copy of a letter to intend to refuse Applicant – 143645 a licence due to Applicant – 143645 refusal to undertake a drugs test for which he had 48 hours to respond.

- A copy of Applicant – 143645’s e mailed response to the letter.

- A copy of 2 letters to Applicant – 143645 detailing complaints made by members of the public about Applicant - 143645.

- A copy of a witness statement relating to one of the complaints made against Applicant – 143645.

- A copy of a summary transcript with Applicant – 143645 and Licensing Officers.

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.

A copy of the report and the appendices had been provided to everyone present and to the members of the Committee. The Licensing Officer outlined the contents of the report to the Committee.

The Committee heard that Applicant – 143645 had previously held a licence to drive private hire vehicles issued by the Council in February 2018, that expired in February 2024.

The Committee were told that in October 2023, the licensing team received a complaint in relation to a private hire vehicle driver that was acting suspiciously near to, and approaching, the complainant’s home. Applicant – 143645 was identified as the driver subject to the complaint.

The Committee heard that during the investigation into this complaint, Applicant – 143645 was obstructive with officers; he did not attend pre-arranged interviews, which led to Applicant – 143645’s licence being suspended as a result of him not attending to be interviewed in relation to the complaint.

The Committee were told that Applicant – 143645 was eventually interviewed in January 2024, and although it  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/49/24

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence from Applicant - 000879 who had previously held a combined licence with this authority, and which was revoked by this Licensing Committee.

Applicant - 000879 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 Applicant – 000879’s application, including a DVLA check code and current full licence with no endorsements

- A copy of minutes from the meeting where Applicant – 000879’s licence was revoked as well as a copy of the decision notice.

- A copy of a summary transcript between Applicant – 000879 and Licensing Officers.

- A copy of two-character references which had been supplied by Applicant – 000879.

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 vehicle drivers’ licence as detailed within the Committee report.

The Committee heard that Applicant – 000879 had previously held a licence with the authority, which was revoked by the Committee on 16th July 2024.

The Committee read the minutes from the Committee hearing held on 16th July 2024, and the decision notice that followed, which appeared as part of the Committee papers.

The Committee noted that Applicant – 000879’s licence was revoked following three separate complaints received in April and May 2024. An outline of the complaints before the Committee held on 16th July 2024 was set out in the decision notice, summarised as follows:-

•Complaint 1 – On 2nd April 2024, a member of the public reported PHV 2275 had collided with her vehicle and left the scene, which was captured on CCTV. The driver was identified as Applicant – 000879, who initially denied the collision and stated that he had been at home asleep at that time. When Applicant – 000879 was interviewed in relation to this matter, his recollection of the date in question changed, then admitting to officers that he vaguely remembered the incident. Despite this, and viewing the CCTV with officers during interview, Applicant – 000879 denied colliding with the complainant’s vehicle and denied that witnesses had attempted to prevent him from driving away. Applicant – 000879 also denied any damage to his vehicle, despite being advised that the operator had confirmed damage to the vehicle consistent with the impact area. During interview, Applicant – 000879 said that he checked his vehicle on the day of the incident and there was no damage, other than scratches to the wheel arch which he said were caused by him scratching the vehicle on a wall.

•Complaint 2 – A complaint was received from a member of the public who alleged that Applicant – 000879 had littered from his vehicle and had behaved in  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/50/24