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Northern Ireland O-licence applications could become VOSA’s responsibility, but does it have the resources to handle them?
Words: Chris Tindall
NEXT YEAR’S LAUNCH of an O-licensing system for all hauliers in Northern Ireland could put VOSA’s ability to process applications under severe strain and lead to unacceptable delays, according to transport lawyers.
An investigation by CM has found that it is highly likely that the enforcement agency’s licensing team in Leeds will take on the extra work when the new system is launched next April.
Industry insiders say outsourcing is the most logical solution for handling an estimated 7,500 applications that will come looding through the doors once own-account operators are forced to comply with the regime.
But this tripling of the work currently carried out in Belfast for the hire and reward sector could put VOSA under huge pressure at a time when it is trying to cut costs and make redundancies.
The PCS union says it might also lead to the closure of the licensing ofice in Northern Ireland in order to ensure the system mirrors the one GB hauliers already operate within.
But when CM asked VOSA if it would increase staff numbers in Leeds if it takes on the Northern Ireland work, a spokesman declined to comment.
A fully ledged O-licence system for the country has been under development for some time and in January 2010 it inally received its Royal Assent.
A Transport Regulation Unit was set up in Belfast to implement the Act and its head, Donald Armstrong, insists that it is on schedule and will be up and running by 2012.
The industry’s two main trade associations for operators welcome the progress and they are relatively unconcerned about where the processing of applications is carried out.
Everyone knows the drill
“I am told it is looking very likely that all applications will be processed in Leeds, the same as in the UK and we are quite happy with that,” says Tom Wilson, Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of policy for Northern Ireland. “Everyone there knows the drill.” The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is of the same mind; regional director Phil Flanders says: “I am led to believe [Leeds] is the favoured option. They already have a system up and running. It’s like having another trafic area to deal with it and it would be the most effective option. It doesn’t matter where it’s done as long as whoever it is does it to the same standard.” But elsewhere concerns are growing about the potential impact on VOSA and whether haulage companies will experience delays such as when operations were centralised to Leeds in 2007.
Rothera Dowson lawyer Anton Balkitis says most delays now are of the operator’s own making and arise from errors such as: failing to include evidence of inancial standing; not clarifying transport managers’ hours; advertising in the wrong publication or not signing the forms.
“However, although there does seem to be an improvement since December there still seems to be a delay in what should be relatively straightforward applications, particularly when it comes to considering requests for interim authority to operate,” he says. “The delay in processing interims, particularly in the current climate, is unacceptable.” Balkitis adds: “It remains to be seen how any increase in caseload will exacerbate the already stretched service, but given our experience this option needs careful thought, planning and resources.” Tim Culpin at Aaron and Partners has similar concerns about the “huge numbers of own-account operators” applying for licences if VOSA is not given the resources to handle it.
The unions that represent VOSA employees have to tread a thin line on this issue as they have members in Belfast and in Great Britain (see box). The closure of licensing ofices in Northern Ireland would be bad news for people em ployed there, but it might create job opportunities in Leeds – although only if VOSA is given the money to fund it.
Decisions yet to be announced
At the Transport Regulation Unit’s ofice in Belfast, Armstrong remains tightlipped about what decision will be made, but he tells CM it will be made soon.
“In providing licensing functions we have to look at a variety of issues and what’s best for the people of Northern Ireland,” he says. “If we outsource to Leeds then there are issues of traceability. And we don’t want people to pay more than the rest of the UK. We have to look at setting up a new IT system as well and how much that would cost. These are the considerations.” But what might be thought best for hauliers in Northern Ireland could end up causing delays and frustration for all transport operators across the UK, and until VOSA announces how it intends to handle this lood of licence applications then concerns continue to mount.
“It’s a very dificult situation; we know the economic situation in Leeds and Northern Ireland, and neither are particularly lush with jobs at this moment in time,” says Gary Washer, PCS branch oficer. “All we can do is watch with interest to see what inal decisions are made.” ■
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