Taxi Driver Online

St Helens taxi driver has licence revoked

A TAXI driver operating in St Helens has had their licence revoked following a string of complaints. The driver was hauled up before St Helens Borough Council’s licensing committee earlier this month following a number of complaints that had been received in relation to their conduct.

Some details of the hearing, which was held in private due to the personal nature of proceedings, have been published by the council. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the latest complaint was made after the driver had become embroiled in a heated row with a rival in public.

Minutes of the hearing reveals that this was not the first time the council had received complaints about this licensed taxi driver, referred to as HD615.

“Members were informed that HD615 had been referred to the committee for a review of their hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence due to a number of complaints that had been received by licensing in relation to the conduct of HD615,” it says in the printed minutes.

HD615 took part in the meeting via a phone link.

A character reference, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, was also read out to members by the licensing manager. Copies of the complaints along with witness statements and notes of the interviews conducted by licensing officers were also provided to councillors on the committee.

“HD615 attended the meeting via a phone link and was given every opportunity to present their case to members and answer questions,” the minutes say. “HD615 was then invited to sum up their case and was advised that the committee’s decision would be conveyed to them the following day, with a detailed decision letter to follow in due course.”

Following the hearing, the committee deliberated in private with the council’s solicitor.

The committee decided that on the balance of probabilities, the driver’s licence be revoked on the grounds of “any other reasonable cause”, as set out in section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1976 and the council’s own licensing policy.

The act gives licensing authorities the power to use their discretion to suspend or revoke a license, with the burden of proof on the applicant to establish they are a fit and proper person to hold the licence.

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IDFIMH

I do hope his plate number isn’t 615.

Why? article describes him as licensed HD 615 meaning driver.

Indeed, but if that's his badge number and identifies him, then a bit daft not providing his name.

Almost as if they're complying with the law, but want as many people to know who he is while still staying within the legislation.

Thus the good old adhering to the letter of the law thing, but not the spirit.

But the number is on a register open to anyone with the persons name for anyone to see.