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ATF targets might be Lowered, admits VOSA
Page 8
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By Laura Hailstone VOSA HAS ADMITTED that it is considering lowering targets set for the transfer of annual vehicle tests to non-VOSA sites at Designated Premises (DPs) and Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs), following a review into the process that was "less favourable" than the agency would have liked.
A Gateway Review by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which examines government projects at key decision points in their lifecycle, looked at the Testing Transformation Pro gramme (TTP) to decide if it can progress to the next stage.
Speaking at union Prospect's AGM last week, VOSA chief Alastair Peoples said: "1 asked the OGC to come in and review the TT? It made nine recommendations in total, which I have accepted. One of which is that now might be a good time to revisit the targets — not because they aren't achievable, but because they are creating the wrong behaviour internally."
The current targets. set by the Department for Transport (DIT), are for 33% of annual tests to be conducted at privately-run
facilities by March 2010; 66% by
2011, and 85% by 2012.
"If we don't reach 33% by March, then there's no point aim ing for 66% the following year," Peoples ventured.
Peoples also admitted a lot of VOSA staff don't feel now is the right time to be moving to ATFs, but explained that -last year, the then-minister confirmed testing would remain in the public sector':
He continued: "We've had some big household names sign letters of intent to become ATFs, so we're encouraged that even though we're in a recession, there is a lot of interest in ATFs.
"Delivery of the TIP will continue to be a priority, and is likely to remain one of our key targets for the forseeable future':
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