Licences for 'travelling' operators
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• Despite having no definable operating centre, six applicants who were described as "travelling gentlemen" were granted new Operators Licences by the West Midland Licensing Authority Ronald Jackson at a Birmingham Public Enquiry.
A total of 13 travelling gentlemen whose operating centre was published as "no fixed abode" applied for one-vehicle restricted licences. Six applicants were refused in the absence of the applicant and the seventh, an application by Laurence Ward Junior, was ad
journed after the LA was told that he had had to take a child to hospital.
The six who were granted licences — William Connors, John Ayres, Joe Kelbie, Tracy McCready, Laurence Ward and John Rooney — were each granted licences for two-year periods subject to confirmation from a commercial garage that regular maintenance is being done on their vehicles.
When questioned about their financial resources none had bank accounts, but most said they carried up to £2,500 in their pockets for emerge
laces; Joe Kelbie putting a roll of bank notes down in front of the LA.
Laurence Ward said that as he travelled up and down the country he could not just use one garage for maintenance purposes. He was a good machanic and he had always kept his vehicle in good repair. He towed his caravan with it and it was part of his home. Neither he nor his wife could read or write, but he expected that he would be able to get somebody to help him fill in the inspection records if his licence was granted.