Enforcement should be about quality not quantity, says IAM

THE IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) wants the Department for Transport (DfT) to rethink its proposal to make careless driving punishable by a three-point fixed penalty ticket and fine.

The call is published in the latest edition of Advanced Driving, the IAM members' magazine, published this week.

Careless driving offences are currently dealt with by the courts and can be punishable with a fine of up to £2,500 and six penalty points. If the proposal goes ahead, a blanket enforcement approach will bring a wide spectrum of driving behaviours under the 'careless driving' heading.

IAM's director of policy and research, Neil Greig, said:- "This blanket approach will mean that driving offences, which could have been charged as dangerous driving but weren't, could be dealt with in the same way as minor parking knocks. The IAM does not believe that this is good for road safety; it will only lead to an increase in the quantity of enforcement rather than quality."

The call is one part of the IAM's response to the latest DfT consultation paper 'Road Safety Compliance'. The paper outlines a number of proposals on how to encourage motorists to comply with a variety of key traffic laws including drink and drug driving, speeding and driver retraining.

New City Solicitor appointed

LIVERPOOL City Council has appointed a new City Solicitor. Paul Evans, 43, is currently the Acting Director of Corporate Services and Resources at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. He was previously their Director of Legal and Democratic Services (2004 to 2006) and was Head of Legal Services (2000 to 2004).  He studied law at Sheffield University, carried out his finals at Manchester University and trained at Oldham Council.

Council leader Warren Bradley said:- “I welcome this appointment and look forward to working with Paul Evans. Along with the other party leaders, I am committed to ensuring he has the full support of the whole council.”

Paul Evans said:- “I am delighted to be joining Liverpool City Council following its year in the spotlight as Capital of Culture. The city council has gone through tremendous changes over the last few years and is recognised by the Audit Commission as having a really strong focus on building on its recent improvements. I am looking forward to helping contribute towards its future success by joining the managerial and leadership team in Liverpool, and helping develop legal and elected member services even further."

Liverpool City Council’s Chief Executive Colin Hilton added:- “This is a crucial role not only in dealing with legal issues and providing a strategic oversight of communications, but also in strengthening the relationship between elected members and council officers.”

Paul Evans takes up the post in April and replaces Charlie Adan, who has been in the role on a temporary basis since last autumn.

 Psychiatric Nurses from Liverpool in Demand in Sydney

NURSES from Liverpool travelling to Australia this year are being urged to avail of interviews taking place early next month. I.C.E Group has been appointed by the New South Wales Department of Health to recruit 150 registered psychiatric nurses for a new Forensic Hospital in Sydney.

This facility, which is the first of its kind in New South Wales, specialises in forensic mental health programmes for adults and adolescents. This unique joint initiative will not only see the diverse clinical needs of patients cared for in Australia but will also see the creation of much needed jobs for English nurses. Patients accommodated at the hospital include those who have been, or are at risk of being, involved with the criminal justice system. The Forensic Hospital is a 12 minute drive from Sydney City centre, and a short drive from Bondi beach.

Nurses recruited, as part of this campaign will be offered a relocation package, Visa guidance, assistance with nurse registration in Australia and help with finding suitable accommodation. They will also get the opportunity to work at the
leading edge of treatment in forensic psychiatry and will be offered on-going education and career advancement.

I.C.E Group is the sole agency awarded with the contract to recruit nurses for the positions. The New South Wales Department of Health will be conducting interviews for the positions in various locations across the U.K in March and April. Full assistance and guidance will be provided by I.C.E Group consultants who have many years experience in recruiting nurses for positions in Sydney. For an information pack, or to make an appointment for interview, freephone I.C.E Group on 0800 0964317.

SOUTHPORT MEP VOTES TO SCRAP 55 EU LAWS!

CONSUMER groups and the cosmetics industry have welcomed a vote by MEPs in Strasbourg to scrap 55 EU laws on cosmetics.

A host of complicated and contradictory rules, some of them dating back to 1976, have been swept aside to be replaced by a simplified new law that lays down common standards.

Merseyside's MEP & Liberal Democrat public health spokesman Chris Davies claimed that the measure would confound eurosceptics as preparations are made for European elections this June.

He said:- "A more centralised approach is being introduced, and while this may upset critics of the EU it is warmly welcomed by the industry.  Chris Davies last thing that manufacturers want is to have different rules, or different interpretations of the rules, in 27 countries across Europe."

The new cosmetics legislation strengthens labelling requirements, for the first time giving consumers information about the use of nano-materials in cosmetics.

It introduces minimum requirements for safety assessments to be made before new products are put on the market, and confirms a ban on the general use of any ingredient that may be carcinogenic.

Berti Heerink, Director-General of European cosmetics trade association, Colipa, commented:- "The streamlining of this piece of legislation benefits industry and consumers alike and should reduce unnecessary red tape."