Driving Instructors Association DIA

DSA Chief Executive Gary Austin gives us his regular update on all the latest from the Agency Key Targets The Minister has now agreed the key targets for DSA to achieve in 2004-05, and these have been announced to Parliament. We will be sending a copy of the Business Plan summary with the summer issue of Despatch. Our top priority is clearly set - to bring waiting times down to 6 weeks nationally. We recognise that this is the single most important thing to do to improve service to the majority of our customers. Customer Service We have other work in hand to improve service to customers too. With the arrival of advanced speech recognition for telephone customers we will be able to further improve our telephone answering and simplify the IVR system. The next issue of Despatch will tell you more about the improvements and the changes to the quick dial facility. Road Safety We also maintain our focus on improving road safety with measures to contribute to the Government's Road Safety Strategy Review by modernising the learning agenda. We will help learners, particularly in the vulnerable16-24 age group, to achieve a safe level of competence by delivering an interactive electronic DVD product which focuses on the whole process of learning to drive safely. To make sure that learners are supported by skilled and motivated driving instructors we plan work on defining occupational standards, initial training and professional development, and assessment arrangements for ADIs. Financial Finally, Treasury has changed our financial targets - we are now aiming to achieve a lower average return on capital of 3.5%. We plan to use some of our reserves to reduce the level of fee increase in 2004, but the big issue will be covering the cost of the development of test centres so that we can deliver the new motorcycle test from 2008. There will be much more information on this in the fee consultation document to be issued soon. Work to Rule I am pleased to tell you that an agreement has been reached in principle between the Agency and the Public and Commercial Services Union over staff pay. Following discussions, the union representatives have agreed to ballot their members on a new deal with a recommendation to accept the new proposals. Suspension of the work-to-rule will continue until the result of the ballot is known. I am optimistic that the end of the dispute is in sight, and hope that normal working will continue as a result of the talks.