Haulier's switch to rigids gets LA's go-ahead
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Norcom National Distribution of Birmingham
In granting a licence application by Norcom Ltd, trading as Norcom National Distribution, West Midland LA John Mervyn Pugh has ruled that he cannot take into consideration commercial disputes when deciding an application.
The Birmingham-based company had applied to add four vehicles and to delete four trailers from a licence that had authorised the operation of three vehicles and four trailers.
For Norcom, Michael Carless said that it was a comparatively new company that had commenced operation in October 1986. Its day to day operations now dictated the use of ngid vehicles rather than articulated outfits and that was the reason for the application.
There had been some representation about the financial standing of the company, following a dispute with Birtley Removal Services over money allegedly owed to that company. It was quite wrong for Batley to raise that matter when it was in dispute and there was a counter claim.
Norcom had overdraft facilties for £25,000, only £14,000 of which had been utilised, said Carless.
Managing director Brian Parish said Birtley was claiming that Norcom owed it £2,328-27: A county court summons had been issued and he had said he would pay £200 a month if any money was owed. What happened was that Norcom employed Birtley Removal Services around Christmas last year. The money was not due, but it refused to deliver the last load until the money was paid. Birtley was holding those goods and Norcom was taking legal action for their return.
Mervyn Pugh granted the variation as applied for, saying that he was satisfied, after Carless had submitted that it was a commercial matter to be settled by the courts.