Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 21 October 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

None.

To consider passing a Resolution Pursuant to Section 100A (4) Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that if present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information falling within paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

ORDERED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that, if present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Director of Environment and Community Services submitted an exempt report in connection with a review of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence, Ref: 20/24, where circumstances had arisen which required consideration by the Committee.

The Chair introduced those present and outlined the procedure to be followed.  The Driver, who was in attendance accompanied by his legal representative, verified his name and address and confirmed he had received a copy of the report and understood its contents.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented a summary of the report outlining that the Driver had been licensed as a Private Hire Driver with Middlesbrough Council since 16 January 2024. His current licence was due to expire on the 31 December 2024.

The Driver appeared before Members because of an incident arising on the 9 June 2024 which raised concerns over his suitability to be a Licensed Private Hire Driver with Middlesbrough Council.

Members were advised that a significant amount of time had elapsed since the incident in question. The delay in placing the matter before committee was due to several technical issues encountered when trying to view the CCTV footage and for circumstances beyond the Officer’s control.

Members were advised that on 10 June 2024, Stockton Council provided CCTV footage to Middlesbrough Council’s licensing officers which appeared to show a Middlesbrough Licensed taxi being driven in a manner that fell far below the standard of what was expected of a licensed hackney carriage or private hire driver.

The CCTV footage dated 9 June 2024, covered the area of Yarm Lane, Stockton on Tees, near to the junction of Stockton High Street. An incident timed at 12.35am was shown whereby a vehicle strongly suspected of being a Middlesbrough Licensed Vehicle was seen on Yarm Lane, Stockton on Tees.

The footage showed a vehicle drive onto Yarm Lane and then out of sight before reappearing several seconds later. At that point the vehicle could not be identified because the CCTV camera did not zoom onto the registration plate. The vehicle then proceeded to reverse back into view and drive forward onto West Row pointing in the direction of Ramsgate after which the vehicle stopped.

A male riding a push bike and a male carrying a transparent bag with a dog could be seen on the footage. The male on the push bike could be seen to ride on the foot path in front of a row of shops while the male with the dog appeared to engage one of the occupants of the vehicle in conversation. A few seconds later a male passenger could be seen leaving the taxi and running after the male cyclist who gathered speed to exit the area covered by the CCTV camera.

The CCTV footage then located the male riding the push bike travel past the Thomas Sheraton pub along Bridge Street at 12.36am. Shortly after this, at 12.37am, separate CCTV footage showed the taxi in rapid pursuit of the male cyclist in Park Terrace. The taxi was unable to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/43