Recovery Members Update March 2011

Welcome to RHA Recovery Member Update!

Here we are again, this month’s newsletter is a few days late and I apologise for that. Life has been a little hectic as you will see from my notes.

Police Vetting

We had our committee meeting at the headquarters of Isuzu last month and it is clear from that meeting that we are still having issues with police vetting at the contractual stage. We had an issue with Essex Constabulary last year and after my letter to of complaint to ACPO was redirected to Essex Constabulary’s Corporate Vetting Manager, they agreed that the higher level of vetting instruction would be rescinded. They made it clear that they still would return to that system if they felt the need but in some way that was a significant victory for the RHA Recovery.

From last month’s meeting it is now clear that we are having the same issues with Derbyshire Constabulary. I have been instructed to write to Derbyshire Constabulary and express our concern that they are asking for information that is too intrusive given the nature of the work that operators are applying for. Hopefully common sense can prevail – more on that next month.

Heavy Rescue Partnership

We had the very first meeting of the Trustees of the Heavy Rescue Partnership last month. Red Cross are playing a leading role in this partnership and one of the big issues facing the embryonic organisation is funding and this will be high on the agenda.

Tow Show 2011

At last we have news on the 2011 show to report. RHA have agreed to Professional Recovery taking over the show with immediate effect. Geoff Dunning, RHA Chief Executive and Dave Gregory, MD of Partnership Publishing which owns Professional Recovery had high level talks where Geoff Dunning made the show available to Professional Recovery.

The show will now be re-branded as the Professional Recovery Tow Show and be held at the Telford International Centre on Friday and Saturday, September 30-October 1. Press releases have already been sent to most of the stakeholders and the new owners have made it clear that this year’s show will be a lot larger than last year. Halls 1 and 2 have been booked and there will also be an outside display area taking the total exhibition area to around 10,000 sq ft compared to last year’s 3,000 sq ft.

I have had the support of all the trade associations which I am very grateful for so this year’s show really could be an ‘all industry’ show. We are retaining many of the successful elements of previous shows such as the Gala Charity Dinner, All Industry Demonstration Team, Ladies Night and we are talking to major sponsors as I write.

ERRI

The ERRI committee met last month for the first time since last year’s Tow Show. Every trade association was represented except RRRA who continue to refuse to be included. The good news was that the SVRA have now agreed to come on board. The committee discussed LLEZ and Statutory Charges amongst other items. Some progress was made.

Recovering Electric Vehicles (EV)

I am still compiling a report on the recovery of electric vehicles to send to members. At this stage the process is still in its early stages but the SMMT, IMI and IVR are consulting over forms of modular training.

Membership Directory

Attempts are being made to produce a Directory of Membership for RHA Recovery members. It is probably going to be produced in electronic format with disks being supplied to members. Isuzu will remain the sponsor of the Directory.

New Members

Two new companies have received applications forms this month.

Freight Transport APPG

I travelled to London for the Freight Transport APPG. The main topic on the agenda was the use of the Motor Insurers Database. This seems to be gathering momentum but it does not have the support of ACPO. We have a further meeting of the APPG in a few days time when MIDS is back on the agenda as is Statutory Charges. The Undersecretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning, will be in attendance.

Survive Working Group 3

I travelled to the RBS building in Croydon for the Survive Working Group 3 meeting. A very good meeting was held and some of the issues we want to publicise with other stakeholders are: motorway lighting, hard shoulder running, winter tyres, motorway snow clearing and its effect on hard shoulders.

RISC

I had the opportunity of meeting with Andy Lambert, a trustee of the RISC Industry Charity.

Contact me

As you can see from this month’s newsletter, there has been a lot going on again. If you have any concerns and need advice or support, please do not hesitate in contacting me, I might not have all the answers but at RHA we have the infrastructure to give you an informed response.

We are still very much looking for new members. The benefits of RHA Recovery membership are stronger than most other trade associations because we are part of the massive Road Haulage Association infrastructure. We also have the RHA Rescue benefit where members will be invited to join that organisation which will open up other work opportunities. Over 100,000 HGV’s are part of RHA Rescue and our members have exclusive opportunities to tap into that work source.

If you are interested in joining RHA Recovery or would like information on what we can offer, please contact us at our Peterborough office. Janice Wadsworth will deal with your enquiry, she can be contacted on 01733 261131. Alternately you can call me direct, my mobile number is 07976 829927.