IN THE NEWS
STRATFORD ON AVON COUNCIL REVOKES PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR LICENCE FOR CLAREMONT CARS
Stratford-on-Avon DC has revoked the private hire operator’s licence held by Claremont Cars, based in Honeybourne, Evesham, under s.62a LGMPA 1976, due to repeated and serious breaches of licensing conditions. The action was taken in the interest of public safety after Claremont Cars continued to breach the terms of its licence despite receiving prior warnings from the district council. This follows a previous decision in July 2024 to revoke the dual driver licence of the owner of Claremont
Cars after a Licensing Panel hearing. At that time, the firm was permitted to continue operating under its existing PHO licence. However, the company has since shown continued non-compliance with licensing requirements, raising significant public safety concerns. Breaches included: l Driving a PHV without a valid private hire driver’s licence.
l Allowing an unlicensed individual to drive a licensed vehicle. l Operating two PHVs
without road tax for a 15-day period. lFailing to notify the council of vehicle damage within timeframe.
lNot providing proper journey records.
l Failing to meet the mandated twice-yearly MOT and taxi compliance testing.
lPermitting an uninsured, non- licence holder to drive a PHV. Julie Lewis, Head of Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: “Operators and drivers who fail to comply with legal requirements will be held to account. We take these matters seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate.”
BARGOED TAXI BOSS CONVICTED OF FRAUD FOR FAKING WAV SAFETY CERTIFICATES
A former taxi boss from Bargoed has been found guilty of fraud after admitting to falsifying safety certificates for WAVs used to transport children to school. Peter Roland Banwell, 62, the former director of Banwell Buses Ltd, trading as Beeline Taxis, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on April 8, 2024, where he pleaded guilty
to
proof of which must be submitted to the council every six months. Suspicion arose when nine certificates submitted to
the fraud by
misrepresentation. The court heard that between June 2023 and May 2024, Banwell's company held 14 contracts with Caerphilly CBCl requiring vehicles equipped with lifting equipment. These vehicles are legally required to undergo biannual safety checks under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), with successful inspections resulting in the issuance of a LOLER certificate,
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council on May 24, 2024, were dated December 15, 2024 – a date yet to come. Further investigation revealed a total of 26 fraudulent certificates dating back to May and December 2023. As a result, the council suspended the nine vehicles in question, and subsequent inspections revealed defects in all of them, with two deemed unsafe. During the period the uncertified vehicles were operating under council contracts, Banwell Buses Ltd received £253,550. Following the discovery of the fraudulent activity,
forging the certificates and resigned as company director. Banwell received a two-year prison
sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Banwell Buses Ltd, was fined £12,000, and Banwell now faces further action under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Cllr Philippa Leonard condemned Banwell’s actions, stating: “Mr Banwell'’s use of unsafe vehicles showed a clear disregard for child safety, resulting in fraud against the council. This prosecution sends a strong message that we will not tolerate fraud and remain committed to
protecting Banwell confessed to
passengers and upholding operational integrity.” His Honour Judge Khan strongly rebuked him for his actions, labelling them as “stupidity” and telling him he was “dishonest, had lost his good character and looks to lose financially due to proceeds of crime proceedings.”
MAY 2025 PHTM
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