ATTEMPTS BY A FORRES councillor to have a woman taxi driver’s licence revoked failed on Wednesday when he could find no support.
Moray’s licencing committee met to consider a licence renewal for Fiona Gibbs, who since first receiving her cab licence has been involved in two incidents – one that led to a Buckie pensioner suffering serious injuries when she knocked him down.
Ms Gibbs was subsequently issued six penalty points and fined £500 for the 2013 accident. She attracted police attention again earlier this year when she was caught driving at 87mph in a 60mph zone – for that she was fined £250 and had four penalty points added to her licence.
When the committee met this week Councillor Aaron Mclean argued that Ms Gibbs was “not fit” to hold a taxi licence – however, his motion to refuse received no support from other members. In the event a motion by Keith and Cullen councillor Ron Shepherd that her licence renewal be granted was passed by the committee.
However, the renewal will only be for one year after the Council Leader, Stewart Cree, added an amendment that the length of the new licence be restricted.
During the meeting Councillors raised concerns over why Police did not call for a suspension hearing on Ms Gibbs’ licence following the first incident, normal practice in such situations. Police could not explain why the case had not been brought to the attention of the licencing committee.