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Motorists to
have greater choice and flexibility
MOTORISTS in the North West
of England are set to benefit from greater choice and flexibility in
how they deal with the DVLA under national proposals published for
consultation by Roads Minister, Mike Penning.
The proposals will make it easier for motorists to interact with the
DVLA. This will be achieved by centralising its services and
providing much more choice and flexibility, including online
services, than is currently available around how and when motorists
deal with the DVLA. The proposals could deliver significant
efficiencies with an estimated £28million year on year saving. Sadly
the loss of local centres could have other problems when it comes
sorting out errors and other problems local centres currently deal
with. That also combined with the loss of many jobs, will be a
blow for some local areas, like in Preston.
Roads Minister, Mike Penning said:- "This is a major step
change which will make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for
motorists and businesses up and down the country. Centralising the
DVLA’s services is the first crucial step towards making more of its
transactions available online, allowing people to deal with the DVLA
at their chosen time and place. This will mean quicker turnarounds
and meet our customers’ growing needs."
Under the proposals, customers should have far more ways to access
the DVLA’s services than the 39 regional offices the DVLA currently
operates in Great Britain. This announcement means that the 39
regional offices, 10 of which include its regional enforcement
centres, are expected to close by the end of 2013, with work
currently processed at those offices centralised at the DVLA’s HQ in
Swansea. As this proposed centralisation is expected to have an
impact on resources, a separate consultation with the staff
potentially affected has also now started.
DVLA’s Chief Executive, Simon Tse said:- "The DVLA has been
serving motorists for over 40 years in one form or another. But
times change and customers’ needs change. That is why it’s essential
that we move with the times and make the best use of our services
and experience to make sure we give the motor industry and the
general public a service that is fit for the 21st century and allows
them to carry out their business in a way that suits them and offers
the best value for money for the taxpayer."
The consultation starts has now started and closes on 6 March 2012.
The consultation document can also be found by clicking on
here.
If you are
affected or you have any views on this, please email us to:-
news24@southportreporter.com and let us know today! |
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Euro MP Welcomes
New Rights for Crime Victims Across Europe
VICTIMS of crime who have
been granted legal protection, such as a restraining order, in one
EU member state will, thanks to EU laws to be voted on by Euro MPs
in Strasbourg this week, get similar protection in other EU states
under the European Protection Order (EPO). Local Labour Euro MP,
Arlene McCarthy said:- "The European Protection Order is an
important step forward in protecting those who have been victims of
harassment, domestic abuse, stalking, sexual violence and other
forms of coercion as they move within Europe. Currently if you have
a Protection Order in one European Country, it does not apply in
another. This new EPO will mean that people can easily apply for
protection as they move between European countries." What do
our readers think about this?
Southport Residents Invited
To Rate Local Hearing Services
ACTION on Hearing Loss;
formerly RNID; is inviting Southport residents with hearing loss to
be the first to rate their experience of local NHS and private
hearing services on the charity’s pilot online comparison tool. The
charity is urging people to log on to the ground-breaking website
which will help individuals find their local hearing services and
choose those that are best suited to their needs. Visitors are asked
to score and comment on the quality of services they have
experienced during the last three months; including the clarity of
explanation about their hearing test results, the usefulness of
information about communication support services, and whether the
service was easily accessible. Chief Executive for Action on
Hearing Loss, Jackie Ballard, says:- "People take, on average,
10 years to take action when their hearing starts to deteriorate
therefore it’s vital that people in Southport can make quick,
informed decisions about accessing local hearing services best
suited to their individual needs. We’ll be launching our innovative
hearing services comparison website in the New Year and, to ensure
we have as the widest possible range of data, we’d be grateful if
Southport residents would take a few minutes to start rating and
commenting on their experiences; whether in the NHS or private,
during the last 3 months."
To register and rate hearing
services in Southport visit:-
actiononhearingloss.org.uk/locateandrate.
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