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P LICENSINC
Page 8
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TCs had legal issues' with VOSA centralisation plan
CM COVER STORY By Chris Tindall CONCERNS AMONG the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) about the centralisation of power relating to licensing work prompted a number of them to question its legality.
Documents released to CM under the Freedom of Information Act show that in the months leading up to the movement of licensing operations to Leeds in 2007 Ts Joan Aitken, David Dixon, Beverley Bell (pictured), Geoffrey Simms and Torn Macartney, as well as Chris Heaps who later resigned over the issue were alarmed at the potential blurring of roles between VOSA and themselves. There was also disquiet at the lack of consultation between the VOSA board and the TCs about the subject. Commenting on a draft report into the centralisation, West Midlands and Wales IC Dixon said: "We are not Luddites, nor the enemy' as we sometimes seem to be viewed. We could help VOSA achieve its aims."
Beverley Bell,TC for the NorthWest Traffic Area. submitted a 15-page document outlining her concerns about the plan. and concluded: -There has not yet been sufficient attention to the legal implications of changing the way in which TCs work and how their relationship with VOSA impacts upon us."
VOSA insists the centralisation has gone to plan and that service standard targets are being met. A spokeswoman would not comment on TC Dixon's concerns, but adds that "the legal implication were resolved."
• An investigation into VOSA's centralisation plans and the impact on TCs will follow in a future issue of CM.
FOP THE LATEST HEWS VISIT: www.roadtransport.com/cm