..IN THE
NEWS...IN THE NEWS
PENWITH TAXI DRIVER KEEPS LICENCE DESPITE SPEEDING AND USING PHONE AT WHEEL
A taxi driver has been allowed to keep his licence despite being con- victed of speeding and using a mobile phone at the wheel. The Falmouth Pack- et reports that the driver, who operates in the Penwith area, had his application for a hackney car- riage licence ap- proved by Cornwall Council’s licensing committee last month. That was despite having been pen- alised for the two offences in January and August last year. Details were re- vealed in the latest
minutes published by Cornwall Council on its website. The minutes of the licence application state that the driver was granted his licence but was also given a formal warn- ing regarding his future conduct. It states: “Members noted that the appli- cant had endorse- ments on his DVLA licence for speeding for which three penalty points were awarded and for breaching require- ments as to the control of a vehicle by using a mobile telephone for which six penalty points were awarded.”
It adds: “Members took a very serious view of the matters ,especially the of- fence relating to the mobile telephone; but having heard from the applicant they were minded to grant the applica- tion.” The committee de- cided that the driver was “a fit and prop- er person” to hold a licence and “applied the test of whether they would be happy for their hus- band, wife, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, per- son they cared for, or vulnerable person to travel in a vehicle driven by the appli-
cant” and decided they would. Another driver was also granted their licence despite hav- ing been cautioned for “using threaten- ing, abusive, in- sulting words or behaviour during May 2018 with the intent to cause fear or provocation of violence”. The driver, from the Kerrier area, had also been convicted of a speeding of- fence in 2017 and councillors also heard of another matter which had expired in November. In the minutes it was recorded: “Members heard from the
council’s safeguard- ing lead that the applicant was a safeguarding risk. The lead had con- cerns how the applicant would re- act to a passenger in his vehicle and his ability to control his emotions in a chal- lenging situation. Members heard from the applicant and were satisfied that this was an iso- lated incident and not likely to happen in the future.” The committee voted to grant the licence saying it was “reasonable and pro- portionate” to do so. Mmmm… Penwith Council should be
applauded for show- ing a reasonable at- titude, and compas- sion (yes, licensing authorities are allow- ed to do that). They applied the age-old “fit and proper” question, and took each case on its merits. How refresh- ing, in an age where increasing numbers of councils are jumping on the bandwagon and adopting guidance policies which are not legislation, and which are likely to throw countless dri- vers out of work – before any Govern- ment reforms are put in place nation- ally. – Ed.
good dri er? Ar ou ae y
v
with prefere We’re r ware
t
rding good drivers ential rates!
As specialist private hire insurance brokers, SEIB have the necessary expertise to make your life easier.
We use a reliable U UK based insurer providing discounted
premiums for drivers with clean driving records. If y believe you’re a good driver, why not reap the rewa
rds? you
BREAKDOWN COVER · LE
EGAL EXPENSES · PERSONAL ACCIDENT GA
MARCH 2020 to speak to
*Terms and conditions apply. and regulated by the Financial Co
onduct Authority. (local call charges apply)
AP COVER · LIABILITY · CYBER COVER · PUB our
r private hire insurance experts.
BLIC & EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112
