Need to maintain enforcement stafi
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LICENSING Authorities are nothing if not autonomou: The latest annual report covering the 11 LAs' activitiE is proof enough of this statement.
Each adopts his own style of presentation just as each adopts his own format for publishing Applications and Decisions. The LA's conduct of his court reflects the personality and character of the man.
All this autonomy is most welcome in these official circles but perhaps a little more regularity in some aspects would help. It seems from the reports that not all areas place the same emphasis on the features of Section 69 of the 1968 Transport Act.
There could be other reasons of course. In the East Midlands there were no cases considered under Section 69 following convictions for maintenance, loading or overloading, drivers" hours and records or unauthorised use. The East Midlands LA makes the point that a curb on public expenditure caused a cutback in his activities. This could be the reason for a seemingly low -crime rate."' If so, it must soon spreac to other areas.
Since 1968 the standard of maintenance has improved out of all recognition throughout the industry. Any cut in enforcement staff will have an adverse effect on this and allow unscrupulous operators to pull down these standards and once more give the industry that image it has fought so hard to improve.
Those who have nothing to fear or hide will suppori a plea for the retention of high levels of enforcement staff.