LA seeks advice over Fewston licence bid
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• A Licensing Authority is to consult Government lawyers following arguments that he could not take a coroner's verdict of unlawful killing into account when considering action against Skipton-based Fewston Transport.
Fewston's lawyer, Stephen Kirkbright, also argued that North Eastern LA Keith Waterworth could not legally consider any of the evidence given at the inquest into the deaths of six people following an accident caused by a Fewston-owned tipper.
This was said at a public inquiry called because Fewston is seeking to increase its licence authorisation from 30 vehicles and six trailers to 35 vehicles and seven trailers. Its application is being opposed by Calderdale Borough Council, which says the company is unfit to hold a licence.
Waterworth said that he is considering taking disciplinary action against the company and its directors as a result of the fatal accident which took place at Sowerby Bridge in September 1993.
The LA also wanted to take into account "a number of other relevant issues" which had arisen since another public inquiry in March this year. In addition to evidence from the police and the Vehicle Inspectorate, he planned to hear evidence from two finance companies about the repossession of two of Fewston's vehicles. Both of these vehicles had prohibition notices issued against them.
He also wants evidence from the Leeds Vehicle Registration Office about taxing of certain vehicles.