Council loses 0-licence
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MI A county council has had its 0-licence curtailed from the end of August after a string of faults were found in its fleet.
But at a disciplinary hearing last week, North East Licensing Authority Fred Whalley gave Durham County Council the chance to put its house in order by allowing it to re-apply for its licence and carry on using its vehicles in the meantime.
Durham's problems began when a vehicle inspector exam ined 32 of its trucks in a spot check last April. Five were put off the road immediately; two others had prohibition notices placed on them and 13 had defect notices imposed.
David Newbegin, Durham's environment director, said the council had already taken steps to put the problems right. He is sure the licence will be renewed. "We have completely overhauled our system for spotting defects in our vehicles," says Newbegin.