'Probation' for ileac sails DLA
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MAINTENANCE problems have led to the licence held by McHale Civil Engineering Ltd being renewed only in respect of the vehicles in possession for 12 months.
The company had been called to disciplinary proceedings before North Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority John Hampton, who at the same time was considering its application to renew its restricted licence in respect of eight vehicles in possession, with six to be acquired.
For McHale, Gary Hodgson said that it had started from humble beginnings and had expanded rapidly_ Money had been spent on repairs and brand new maintenance facilities. The vehicles undertook only short journeys, and the company had perhaps become complacent. The fitting staff had been changed, and one fitter had been put in charge.
Hampton said that when four vehicles were examined in July, a total of 20 defects were found. One vehicle was so bad that it was given an immediate prohibition notice. That disclosed a very sorry state of affairs. The company had to appreciate that a licence holder's responsibility was an absolute one. He had to be satisfied that the requirements of the Act would be met.
In view of the company's past history. said Hampton, he had to look at the likelihood of those requirements being met in the future. The vehicles and maintenance records had been found to be unsatisfactory and there had been a failure to disclose convictions recorded against the company. It should take his decision as a stern warning.
If there were further problems, he added, severe action was likely. If its vehicles were again found to be unfit, it might be that the company was unfit to be in business. He was, in effect, placing it on probation for a year.