Concern over the possible role of disqualified director Richard Baldwin has led to Baldwins Support Services waiting to see if its bid for O-licences in the North East and the South Wales traffic areas will prove successful.
Baldwin Group, parent firm of Baldwins Support Services and Baldwins Crane Hire, had its O-licences in the North East and West traffic areas revoked by traffic commissioner (TC) Kevin Rooney from midnight on 10 September.
The company’s directors were disqualified from holding or obtaining an O-licence for varying periods after the falsification of tachograph records by drivers and a conviction for corporate manslaughter.
Baldwins Support Services was seeking authorisation for 14 vehicles in Leeds and four in Newport, South Wales, last week (13 December).
The TC said he was concerned about the influence of Richard Baldwin, who was chairman of the parent company that had financed Support Services.
Backhouse Jones’s Andrew Woolfall, defending, said that because Baldwins Support Services was a new company, it had no adverse history. He added that director and transport manager Marcus Gough had come into the business and was determined to do things correctly.
Woolfall argued that Gough had a good reference from the RHA, and had previously walked away from Baldwins Crane Hire when he thought things were not going as they should.
He argued that the Baldwin family had given Gough full day-to-day control and Gough had made it clear that if there was any interference from them he would leave.
The business was to be based in Leeds with Newport to be a parking facility, and the initial intention was to only run seven vehicles.
Gough said the company would reduce operational costs for the group as it would not be paying a profit margin to a subcontractor.
However, he agreed at the public inquiry that he did not have full authority on finance to purchase vehicles, saying he had influence in taking a vehicle he did not consider roadworthy out of service.
The vehicles were owned by Baldwins Crane Hire but were to be moved into Baldwins Group ownership.
The hearing was adjourned for written legal argument and to give Richard Baldwin an opportunity to appear before the TC.
By Michael Jewell
