Following four years at the helm of VOSA, Stephen Tetlow is leaving the enforcement body next week to take up the position of chief executive at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Announcing his resignation in December 2008, he told the Transport Select Committee: "We have achieved so much
, but now is the time to move on."
Speaking to Motor Transport, Tetlow feels that during his reign "we have set the foundations for the future".
This includes: a £47m programme to refurbish VOSA's estate, which has resulted in the revamp of 10 test stations; the introduction of the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS); a £33m spend on a range of electronic services; and a Memorandum of Agreement between VOSA and leading trade associations.
Undoubtedly, one of the major successes for Tetlow is the improvement in targeted enforcement. For UK vehicles, prohibition rates have increased from 27% to 38% in the past few
years, while for foreign vehicles the rates have gone up from 35% to 47%.
In a move to bring testing closer to the customer, the Department for Transport has tasked VOSA with the mission of having 85% of tests delivered at privately-run authorised premises by 2013. Tetlow says VOSA staff will remain independent: "One reason we won't privatise staff is to ensure quality is maintained." Furthermore, he claims that when operators make a booking, they will get a contract that guarantees a VOSA inspector will turn up.
He adds that approximately 20% of tests are already delivered to third-party sites and a programme has been in place for the past four years to train staff to be more flexible. He anticipates 30% of tests will be conducted off-site by the end of 2009.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) praises the move for allowing operators flexibility. Joan Williams, head of road freight and enforcement policy, says it means "annual testing can be integrated with maintenance and reduce downtime and overall costs".
But doubts have been raised over whether operators will really reap cost rewards owing to the planned test fee increases announced by VOSA in November. A consultation on the fee structure closes on 29 January, with the changes due to be implemented in April.
James Hookham, FTA director of policy, comments: "Normally, to sell an idea, you need to give out details before you start hiking up prices. This is a huge step, but how are they going to actually do it? And how much will it cost? They have not yet justified how the scheme is value for money or cost-effective."
Roger King, Road Haulage Association (RHA) chief executive, agrees: "Our issue is regarding strategy. We are never too sure what the designs are for these future 'test' stations."
Tetlow, however, claims an increase in fees is vital to meet the costs of maintaining the existing VOSA estate, which was built in the 1960s. The first stage of the move to private test sites should commence shortly, as Tetlow confirms that this month, VOSA will announce the closure and transfer from three test sites to VOSA's nearest testing stations.
Overall, both the RHA and FTA have cited improved communication from VOSA in the years that Tetlow has been chief executive, and both trade associations praise the reduction in test times (by approximately 18 minutes).
King says: "If you want a score card, I would give VOSA a seven out of 10," which is a positive rating for the agency, but still leaves room for improvement. King says this score arises from better communication between VOSA and the trade bodies, however, he says there is "always room to progress the relationship".
VOSA deputy chief executive Alistair Peoples will stand in for Tetlow until a replacement is appointed, however, this may not be until the summer. Tetlow leaves on 30 January. According to Tetlow, the DfT intends to advertise the role as an open competition and appoint a successor by the summer.
During this gap without a fixed chief executive, Peoples says: "Having set a clear direction, I would like to ensure that the changes in vehicle testing are successfully implemented."
Hookham adds: "VOSA will be able to carry on under its current management, but it does need a chief executive to argue with the government and convince customers that VOSA can deliver its promises."
Ultimately, the industry can only hope that the right person steps forward to continue leading VOSA in the right direction.
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
