Agenda item

Members were asked to consider and determine an application for a combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence from Applicant- 153917 who had had his licence revoked with this authority in June 2024

Applicant - 086879 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, including a DVLA check code and current full licence

with no DVLA endorsements.

- A Cleveland Police Common Law Disclosure, received by Stockton Borough Council in relation to the arrest and details of the conditions of bail relating to Applicant – 153917.

- A copy of an officer delegated decision and a revocation letter relating to Applicant – 153917.

- A copy of a No Further Action (NFA) letter from Cleveland Police in relation to alleged offences relating to Applicant – 153917.

- A copy of a legal file relating to Applicant – 153917.

- A copy of a summary transcript of an interview with Licensing Officers and Applicant – 153917

-  Copies of screen shots from Applicant -153917’s  WhatsApp chat with his now ex-wife which he felt supported his version of events.

- A copy of a recording of a conversation transcribed from Urdu between Applicant – 153917 and his now ex-wife.

- A copy of a revocation letter from Middlesbrough Council relating to Applicant – 153917.

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

Applicant – 153917’s application was brought before the committee due to him previously being revoked by this authority in June 2024 due to Applicant – 153917’s police arrest in May 2024 for the alleged offences of ‘Battery’, ‘Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm’, ‘Engage in Controlling/Coercive Behaviour in an intimate/family relationship’, and ‘Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm’.

The Committee Members were presented with the officers report and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officers and Applicant - 153917.

Applicant - 153917 maintained his innocence throughout from his initial arrest through to the committee hearing.

The Committee deliberated all the information before them and the comments Applicant – 1539217 had made during the hearing. They determined that Applicant – 153917’s application should be granted as they believed he was a fit and proper person. The Committee commented that Applicant - 153917 appeared to be honest and provided evidence to back up his story in relation to screenshots of WhatsApp chats, phone calls and bank accounts.

The holding of a licence was a privilege, not a right, and conduct that may bring this Council into disrepute would likely see further formal action in regard to Applicant – 153917’s licence and this could include revocation.

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

Applicant – 153917 was informed that he must complete all necessary stages of the application requirements prior to receiving his licence.

RESOLVED that Applicant – 153917 be granted his combined hackney carriage and private hire driver licence following successful completion of all necessary stages of the application requirements.