WC Drainage refused O-licence
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By Roger Brown
TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER (TC) for Scotland Joan Aitken (pictured) has refused Cambuslang operator WC Drainage Services (Scotland) an O-licence for four vehicles due to its links with liquidated business WC Drainage Services.
In a written decision following a public inquiry (PI) in December, the TC said she was concerned that there had been a “seamless transition” to the new business from the failed one, which had ceased trading in February 2011 owing HM Revenue and Customs substantial sums for unpaid taxes, including VAT, interest and penalties.
The sole director of WC Drainage Services had been Ann Clift. However, the PI was told that her estranged husband, William Clift, had continued to run the trucks speciied on the liquidated irm’s licence since February without authorisation.
These vehicles had been encountered by VOSA on ive separate occasions since that time.
The PI was also told that neither the liquidator nor the inance companies have been able to recover the trucks.
Aitken said any further applications from either William Clift or Ann Clift must be called to a PI.
She added: “There appeared to have been a seamless transition from WC Drainage Services to WC Drainage Services (Scotland) leaving behind a substantial amount of unpaid Crown and trade debt.
“Questions arise as to whether Mr Clift was a shadow director on the previous licence, and there are also issues as to whether the licence undertakings were met. It may be that [the Clifts] will attempt to get others to apply on their behalf or behind other corporate veils.”