Saltbum firm must produce figures
Page 12
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• A North-Eastern operator has been told to produce more detailed financial and maintenance information before it can be issued with an operator's licence.
North Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority Norman Moody said this before reserving judgment on a Road Haulage Association-contested application for a national licence from John and Mavis Thompson, trading as Skelton Farm Produce, of Saltburn by Sea.
The RHA argued that John Thompson is unfit to hold a licence and that the firm has inadequate financial resources.
For the Thompsons, Neil Holroyd said John Thompson has held licences for several companies over the past few years.
In 1981, A & R Thompson (Cleveland) Ltd went into voluntary liquidation and Thompson then became a partner with his wife in Skelton Farm Produce.
In 1983 he became trans
port manager of D Marshall Transport which took over Skelton Farm's haulage business.
Marshalls was wound up in April 1985 and Thompson resumed his activities with his wife in Skelton Farm Produce, which took over the haulage business again.
The present application was submitted in October 1985 and they have since been operating on an interim licence.
Thompson said Skelton Farm works mainly for one firm, Bailey Freight Services. In 1983 he had gone into a 50 per cent partnership in Marshalls. Skelton Farm had three vehicles, two 7.5 tonners and a recently acquired 16 tonner which has been operated since February without an interim licence.
Questioned by Roger Hird, for the RHA, Mr Thompson said he had first met a Mr Robinson of Dowson and Robinson around 1978 when he was involved with A & R Thompson (Cleveland).
They started sub-contracting for Dowson and Robinson, which was undertaking the maintenance of their vehicles. The arrangement was fairly satisfactory until about 1981 just before the liquidation.
Dowson and Robinson owed them money and it was agreed they could use Dowson and Robinson's fuel agency card to offset the balance; the card was withdrawn after they got into real difficulties and began to owe Dowson and Robinson Money.
He denied that he had asked for continued use of the card, promising that he would see that they were paid if anything went wrong.
As far as he was aware, there was a deficit of about 244,000 on the liquidation of A & R Thompson and not of £80,000 as suggested by the RHA. He maintained that he had to call the police on occasions because of harrassment by Mr Robinson.
Thomas Robinson, a partner in Dowson and Robinson, said the arrangement had been amicable before the liquidation.
When Thompson was in d ficulty he gave a personal guarantee over the use of th agency card.
Thompson said he would them when he could, but lab he said that he was not will@ to pay. He denied harrassini Thompson, that he had ever owed Thompson around £7,000 and that the objectioi was part of a vendetta again Thompson because his firm had not been paid after the liquidation.
John Robinson, another pa ner in Dowson and Robinsor confirmed that a personal guarantee had been given by Mr Thompson. He also deni threatening behaviour and ha rassment.
After hearing financial evidence in private, Moody sail he needs to see 12 months' bank statements, other finan cial evidence and a satisfactc maintenance contract before he can reach a decision.