The Licensing Committee of Middlesbrough Council met on Monday 28 September 2026. The meeting's agenda included the consideration of several private hire driver licence applications and reviews.

Review of Private Hire Driver Licence - Ref No: 29/26

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the review of a Private Hire Driver Licence, Ref No: 29/26. This review was prompted by circumstances requiring special consideration by the Committee. The report pack indicated that the review arose following a complaint from Council Neighbourhood Safety Wardens regarding an incident involving a vulnerable passenger with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The passenger had pre-booked a private hire vehicle and was assisted to it by wardens due to mobility difficulties.

According to the report, the driver initially expressed concerns about the passenger's presentation, believing them to be intoxicated. After being informed of the passenger's medical condition, the driver agreed to undertake the journey. Subsequently, the driver reportedly returned to the area and challenged the wardens regarding their involvement. Witness statements from the wardens suggested the discussion became confrontational, and despite being advised of the passenger's medical condition, the driver continued to dispute the wardens' assessment.

The driver provided an alternative account, stating concerns were raised due to the passenger's presentation and mobility issues, and denying any refusal to undertake the booking or inappropriate conduct. The report also referred to the Council's Policy, including the Code of Conduct for Licensed Drivers and the Code of Conduct when Working with Vulnerable Passengers. Body-worn video footage from the wardens was to be presented. The report detailed the evidence from two wardens and the driver's account, including his explanation regarding his hand injury and English as a second language. The Committee was scheduled to consider the driver's licensing history, which included a previous warning in 2021.

The report pack indicated that the Committee would consider the authority to act under Section 61 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976, which allows for the revocation or suspension of a licence on various grounds, including for any other reasonable cause. The report outlined the potential decision to permit the driver to retain his licence with a formal warning, and a requirement to undertake Disability Awareness Training, Safeguarding Training, and a medical assessment within three months.

Review of Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence - Ref No: 24/26

Another key item was the review of a Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence, Ref No: 24/26. This review was scheduled due to a number of motoring convictions and failures to notify the Council of these convictions within the required timescales. The report highlighted that a routine check of the driver's DVLA licence revealed several endorsements, and licensing records showed no notification had been received.

The convictions included speeding offences and an offence relating to the use of a mobile phone while driving, which resulted in the driver accumulating twelve penalty points on his DVLA driving licence. Although the driver successfully argued exceptional hardship in court to retain his licence, the report referred to his previous appearances before the Licensing Committee in 2014 and a warning issued regarding his future conduct.

The driver was interviewed by licensing officers and reportedly accepted responsibility for the offences, providing explanations for the circumstances surrounding each conviction, the failure to notify the Council, and a further breach of licence conditions relating to a change of address. The report referenced the Council's Policy on the Relevance of Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands, Warnings, Complaints and Character, emphasizing that the safety of the travelling public is the paramount concern. The report detailed the driver's licensing history, including previous offences from 2010 and 2014, and further convictions for speeding in February 2020, August 2023, and June 2024, as well as a mobile phone offence in September 2025. The report noted the driver's failure to notify the Council of these convictions and his failure to disclose two speeding offences on his renewal application. The driver's explanation for the mobile phone offence involved personal circumstances related to his father's health.

The report pack indicated that the Committee would consider the authority to act under Section 61 of the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1976, with the possibility of immediate revocation in the interests of public safety. The report suggested that the Committee might decide to revoke the driver's licence on the grounds of any other reasonable cause, citing a pattern of poor driving, failure to follow policy procedures, and the use of a mobile phone while driving as significant concerns.

Application - Private Hire Operator's Licence - Ref No: 31/26

The Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a Private Hire Operator's Licence, Ref No: 31/26.

Application - Renewal of Combined Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Driver Licence - Ref No: 30/26

An application for the renewal of a Combined Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Driver Licence, Ref No: 30/26, was also listed on the agenda.

Application - Private Hire Driver Licence - Ref No: 32/26

Additionally, an application for a Private Hire Driver Licence, Ref No: 32/26, was scheduled for discussion.

Licensing Updates

The Licensing Officer was expected to provide a verbal update on any licensing appeals or revocations that had occurred since the previous meeting of the Committee.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as a welcome, fire evacuation and recording of meetings procedures, apologies for absence, and declarations of interest. The minutes of the previous Licensing Committee meeting held on 24 August 2026 were also to be received. The agenda indicated that the press and public might be excluded from certain agenda items to consider exempt information.