Agenda and draft 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 combined hackney carriage and private hire driver - 155051, who was currently suspended, due to evidence indicating that he operated a mobile phone whilst driving.

Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 and his representative Mr Walker attended the meeting and were 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:

- various screenshots of CCTV footage relating to combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051.

- a copy of a delegated decision and suspension letter, suspending combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 15505’s taxi licence.

- a copy of an interview transcript between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 and licensing officers.

- a copy of a second interview transcript between combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051, his representative and licensing officers.

- a copy of an image showing carriage and private hire driver – 155051 driving a vehicle.

- a copy of an officer statement relating to the use of AI in combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 15505’s videos.

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

Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 and his representative Mr Walker appeared before the Committee for Members to determine what action to take and whether on the balance of probabilities combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 remained a fit and proper person to hold a combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licence with this authority following the receipt of evidence indicating that he had operated a mobile phone whilst driving.

Members were presented with the officers’ report. Both Members, the applicant – 155051 and his representative were given the opportunity to ask questions of the officers report.

The licensing officer also presented the Committee with various clips of video footage of what appeared to show combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 using his mobile phone whilst driving and also posting footage of members of the public on social media without their knowledge or consent.

The main topics discussed were as follows:

- Combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 15505’s representative explained each piece of footage shown to the Committee and refuted claims that his client, combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 was driving whilst using his mobile phone.

- It was explained that combined hackney carriage and private hire driver – 155051 had three different cameras set up in his car. Two which recorded inside his taxi for safeguarding himself and passengers which was policy recommended, and his own GoPro camera which he used for filming outside of his car and which he used for his TikTok account. The footage captured on his GoPro camera automatically sent the footage to his mobile phone which was edited  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/4/26

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver, from applicant - 160556 who had provided a DVLA Check Code showing a relevant conviction and currently did not meet the Stockton Borough Council private hire and hackney carriage licensing policy.

Applicant – 160556, 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 – 160556’s application with a DVLA check code showing a code of IN10.

- A copy of an interview transcript between Licensing Officers and applicant – 160556.

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

The Committee understood that the matter before them was to determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers’ licence as detailed in the Committee report.

The Committee heard that a DVLA check code was received, as part of the usual application process, showing a live DVLA endorsement for the offence of ‘using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks (IN10)’ on 10th June 2024. The Committee were told that the applicant received 6 penalty points for this offence and was fined £516.

The Committee heard that the Council’s current policy stated that an application will normally be refused until at least four years after the most recent conviction, caution, reprimand, final warning or if the person was disqualified, after the restoration of their driving licence, whichever was the later. The Committee were told that four years from applicant – 160556’s conviction date was November 2028.

The Committee were told that applicant – 160556 was interviewed during January 2026, by licensing officers, about the circumstances surrounding his conviction. The Committee heard that applicant – 160556 had explained that he was working for Uber Eats, delivering food, when his vehicle was caused to stop by police officers, who noted that applicant – 160556 was not insured. The Committee heard that applicant – 160556 said that he was using ‘pay as you go’ insurance at the time, through a company called Zego. The Committee were also told that applicant – 160556 stated in interview that he did not know that the payment for his insurance had been declined by his bank, and he was therefore inadvertently uninsured. The Committee heard that applicant – 160556 had confirmed to officers that he would not use this type of insurance again.

The Committee heard that in response to being asked if applicant – 160556 believed that he was a fit and proper person to hold a combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licence, applicant – 160556 explained that he had knowledge of this area and had previous experience as a taxi driver in Pakistan.

Members had regard to the Committee papers, which had been circulated prior to the hearing and presented to them.

Having carefully considered the written documentation  ...  view the full minutes text for item GLC/5/26