Almost a carbon copy of yesterday's case from Bolton (from the same committee meeting) - except it's a mobile phone offence here, as opposed to yesterday's insurance rap
Bolton taxi driver suspended over 'mobile phones' offence
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/26 ... s-offence/
A taxi driver was suspended for nearly a month over a “mobile phones” offence, which he failed to declare.
Newly released Bolton Council documents show that earlier this year a behind closed doors meeting of the authority’s licensing committee had met to hear the unnamed driver’s case.
The minutes show that the committee did not believe that the driver was a “fit and proper person” to hold a licence for the time being because of the offence.
They said: “The offence from December 31, 2025, of breach of requirements as to control of vehicle mobile phones which is a major traffic offence under the council’s statement of fitness and suitability owing to the six C5 penalty points given.
“Normally a person with such a conviction would have their licence revoked if the offence was within the last three years.
“The driver also failed to declare the above offence in accordance with the conditions of his licence; and therefore there is reasonable cause to suspend the licence for a period of 28 days.”
The licensing meeting was held on March 31 this year, with the minutes having been released just this week setting out the details of the hearing.
Director of place Jon Dyson put forward a report setting out the alleged misconduct the driver had committed to the meeting, also attended by the driver himself and his representative.
All parties were given up to 15 minutes to state their case before the committee, which was also given extra information from two letters of support and a statement.
Cllr Sue Priest, of Smithills, moved that the driver be suspended, which was seconded by Cllr Martin Donaghy, of Tonge with the Haulgh before being put to a vote of committee members.
The committee voted unanimously to suspend the driver for 28 days.
The minutes said: “The motion was declared carried and it was specifically resolved, that the licence to drive a private hire vehicle be suspended for a period of 28 days as the committee do not think that the driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence at this time.”
