10 July 2008

Suspension of taxi driver's licence

A Wealden-licensed taxi driver has had their licence suspended for three months.

Last Tuesday a Wealden-licensed taxi-driver appeared before the Council's Licensing sub-committee in relation to a recent conviction for assault and the failure to notify the conviction to the Council.

Having taken into account all the circumstances relating to the case, including the driver's disciplinary record, the sub-committee decided to suspend the driver's taxi-licence for a period of three months.

The sub committee will not be issuing the name of the suspended tax driver, or any further details.

"The licensing of Wealden's taxis is an important Council function,and we are duty-bound to ensure that drivers comply with all the regulations so passengers are safe at all times,” said Councillor Jim Hollins, Licensing Committee Chairman. “If drivers keep important information from us, we must and will act to maintain Wealden's high standards and the interests of Wealden passengers."

Wealden District Council licenses over 550 taxi drivers for driving vehicles as hackney carriages or for private hire.