3:00pm Tuesday 27th July 2010
I READ the recent article “Council audit finds 25 ‘mislaid’ vehicles”
which followed an earlier article published on April 1 entitled “council lost track of vehicles” with ongoing disbelief and exasperation at the public sector. If there was ever a case for public sector management to be held to account this is it (and to justify the six-figure remuneration packages as published recently in the Hereford Times).
The council appears to be devoid of any commercial acumen in the management of the vehicles under its control, what commercial operation would survive if managed in a similar way?
Of particular concern, varied arrangements for insuring vehicles maintained and operated by others, in addition to the council having assets insured and operated by others, can lead to complex resolution in cases of total loss and large liabilty claims.
I would suggest the council concentrate on the safe, legal and cost effective operation of vehicles.
Whilst the current situation arose from the council’s “green fleet review”, VOSA (the government agency responsible for road transport operation in the UK) scores all operators of large goods and passenger vehicles, on vehicle maintenance standards, vehicle overloading, drivers’ hours, etc.
So as a first step Herefordshire Council should publish the scores of its contract partners to ensure they operate to the highest standards.
This would provide an objective measure devoid of spin without the need for further committees, staff and additional costs.
PAUL ELFORD, Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire.
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