Minutes:
Members were asked to consider and determine the fitness applicant - 156981 for a private hire driver licence who had been arrested for two relevant offences but had been no further actioned by Cleveland Police.
Applicant - 156981 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 – 156981’s application including a DVLA check code.
- Circumstances of an arrest by Cleveland Police relating to applicant – 156981.
- A copy of a document from applicant – 15698’s solicitor outlining that the police had informed them on the 26 June 2025 that they intended to take no further action against applicant – 156981 and that he was no longer under investigation.
- A copy of a full transcript of an interview between officers and applicant – 156981.
- A copy of a letter to applicant – 156981 revoking his previously held combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licence with Middlesbrough Council.
- A copy of a review of applicant – 15698’s licence with Wolverhampton Council. Wolverhampton Council did not suspend or revoke his licence.
- A copy of the Common Law Police Disclosure Wolverhampton Council had received from Clevland Police.
- A copy of a STORM report from Cleveland Police
- A copy of documents which were sent to Stockton Council from Cleveland Police showing that applicant - 156981 was no longer under investigation as both offences had been deemed as no further action.
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 - 156981.
The Committee reviewed all the information provided and considered the submissions made by both applicant – 156981 and the officer.
The Committee recognised the individual details of applicant- 156981’s case and despite his arrest in July 2022, for the alleged offences of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply Class A and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, the Committee noted that no further action was taken against applicant 156981 in respect of these matters.
The Committee found applicant - 156981 to be believable and noted that he had denied the allegations made against him. The Committee therefore determined that applicant – 156981’s application should be granted, as they believed that he was a fit and proper person.
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 persons who would take advantage of their employment to abuse or assault passengers.
RESOLVED that applicant – 156981 be granted his private hire drivers’ licence upon the successful completion of all relevant tests, for the reasons as detailed above.