Complex arrangements cause problems
The Traffic Commissioner for the East of England, Richard Turfitt, has granted operating licences to Littlechild Aggregates Ltd and Ace Aggregates Ltd following a detailed public inquiry into their management structures, driver arrangements, and financial practices.
The inquiry revealed that Littlechild Aggregates Ltd, whose director is Sean Littlechild Jnr, had been providing driver services to G Webb Haulage Ltd, with payments routed through Ace Aggregates Ltd, of which he is former director and transport manager.
The director registered for Ace Aggregates is Suzanne Littlechild, Mr. Littlechild Jnr’s mother. Mr. Littlechild Jnr admitted that these arrangements extended beyond temporary cover, raising concerns about transparency and operational independence between the two entities.
Additionally, a second driver employed by Ace Aggregates was reportedly undertaking double shifts alongside Sean Littlechild Snr (father of Mr. Littlechild Jnr and financial backer of Ace), further blurring the lines between the companies’ staffing and payment structures. These intercompany transactions prompted regulatory scrutiny, especially given the shared family involvement and overlapping roles.
The Commissioner expressed concern over the nature of these arrangements, emphasising that such practices must be transparent and compliant with employment law and operator licensing regulations. The inquiry noted that these overlapping roles and payments could potentially undermine the integrity of the licensing system, and the good repute of the operators involved.
Both companies have since committed to clearer governance and compliance. Ace Aggregates has appointed Harnik Midder as an independent Transport Manager, while Littlechild Aggregates has revised its maintenance and driver oversight policies. Both companies submitted extensive documentation outlining their compliance policies, including driver hours, fatigue management, and disciplinary procedures. However, the Commissioner stressed that full compliance must be demonstrated not just on paper but in practice. Mr. Turfitt emphasised the need for full regulatory compliance and warned that future breaches could jeopardise licence status.
This case highlights the important work performed by the Licensing teams in the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, expertly scrutinising applications in order to keep a level playing field for all operators.
The decision can be found here.
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