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The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

School transport providers fined after council carries out licensing checks

A private hire operator and a driver have been fined after licensing officers at Reading Borough Council carried out checks on vehicles and drivers fulfilling school transport contracts.

Officers had been carrying out a routine operation outside The Holy Brook School, in Ashampstead Road, Southcote, when they noticed a silver Mercedes Vito operating as a school transport vehicle. The car was displaying an expired Transport for London private hire vehicle licence plate.

The licensing team worked with Reading’s legal section to take the case to Reading Magistrates Court.

Anthony Roe, 51, of Lower Armour Road, Tilehurst, the operator of 1st Class Cars, was found guilty in his absence of operating a private hire vehicle without a current licence, during a hearing on 9 April 2018.  He was fined £800 and ordered to pay legal costs of £1,500 and an £80 victim surcharge.

Clarence Harry, 63, of Halls Road, Tilehurst, the driver of the Mercedes Vito, appeared before magistrates on 12 April 2018 and was found guilty of driving/plying for hire without a licence. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay legal costs of £120 and a £30 victim surcharge.