Traffic area offices under threat
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VOSA traffic area offices warned of job cuts. VOSA says a re-structuring of the Traffic Areas 'is under discussion' and many traffic area office functions will be moved to Leeds
An internal memo leaked to ROADWAY tells staff at VOSA's Traffic Area offices how their jobs may be at risk.
The memo was issued following reviews and pilot schemes aimed at addressing Traffic Commissioner's concerns about their independence following the formation of VOSA and new government guidelines on achieving value for money.
The VOSA board has decided to reorganise how its compliance and intelligence teams work and it is following government e.enablement guidelines for achieving value for money by putting 80% of VOSA services on-line with a target of 60% take up.
This will include making it possible to pay for operator's licences on-line and in the next 12-months DfT is planning to allow further streamlining of 'O' licensing service by abolishing the goods vehicle licence disc and transferring the licence fee onto the MOT test fee.
Past ideas to reorganise VOSA have included the idea of creating a single English Traffic Area. VOSA staff have been told that what is now being considered may deliver increased benefits and streamlining than previous ideas. [It is expected that this will be subject of an industry consultation paper.]
In other moves, the receipt, input and scanning of licence applications will be moved to Leeds by March next year, with several other back office functions to follow. Added to this VOSA is looking at how it can merge its intelligence unit with its prosecution and legal services. The series of measures is expected to result in up to 24 job losses. This follows the cutting of 40 posts following the VOSA rebranding. Consultation has begun between TUS, at risk VOSA staff and management.
If ideas to completely restructure the traffic areas are implemented, it could result in the area(s) being run from the Leeds office - currently home to the North Eastern and North Western traffic offices. This could result in several more regional job cuts.
Alex Roberts, spokesman for the senior traffic commissioner, told ROADWAY: 'Re-structuring is under discussion and a message to some staff was sent out last week warning them that their jobs may be at risk. I have not spoken to the commissioner and so far no decisions have been made that warrant any official announcement.'
If VOSA goes ahead with a plan to completely restructure the traffic areas into one single national area, the move would be welcomed by the industry.
The memo was issued following reviews and pilot schemes aimed at addressing Traffic Commissioner's concerns about their independence following the formation of VOSA and new government guidelines on achieving value for money.
The VOSA board has decided to reorganise how its compliance and intelligence teams work and it is following government e.enablement guidelines for achieving value for money by putting 80% of VOSA services on-line with a target of 60% take up.
This will include making it possible to pay for operator's licences on-line and in the next 12-months DfT is planning to allow further streamlining of 'O' licensing service by abolishing the goods vehicle licence disc and transferring the licence fee onto the MOT test fee.
Past ideas to reorganise VOSA have included the idea of creating a single English Traffic Area. VOSA staff have been told that what is now being considered may deliver increased benefits and streamlining than previous ideas. [It is expected that this will be subject of an industry consultation paper.]
In other moves, the receipt, input and scanning of licence applications will be moved to Leeds by March next year, with several other back office functions to follow. Added to this VOSA is looking at how it can merge its intelligence unit with its prosecution and legal services. The series of measures is expected to result in up to 24 job losses. This follows the cutting of 40 posts following the VOSA rebranding. Consultation has begun between TUS, at risk VOSA staff and management.
If ideas to completely restructure the traffic areas are implemented, it could result in the area(s) being run from the Leeds office - currently home to the North Eastern and North Western traffic offices. This could result in several more regional job cuts.
Alex Roberts, spokesman for the senior traffic commissioner, told ROADWAY: 'Re-structuring is under discussion and a message to some staff was sent out last week warning them that their jobs may be at risk. I have not spoken to the commissioner and so far no decisions have been made that warrant any official announcement.'
If VOSA goes ahead with a plan to completely restructure the traffic areas into one single national area, the move would be welcomed by the industry.
