Statement from The Driving Instructors Scottish Council
19th March 2014
DISC Withdraws from National Associations Steering Group (NASG)
The Driving Instructors Scottish Council has voted by majority to withdraw
from the NASG with immediate effect. Council has concluded that the group, as currently constituted, cannot be productive or effective in delivering coherent strategic initiatives which will take the Driver Training Industry forwards in a positive and meaningful way.
This decision, although regrettable, is required to protect the credibility and integrity of DISC as an organisation. Withdrawing from the NASG has no effect on the Consultative Status of DISC with the DVSA, nor does it affect our ability to work with other partners in seeking positive outcomes for the membership of DISC and for the wider industry.
DISC has always supported, and will continue to support, the ideal of working together with stakeholders in a respectful, collaborative and democratic way, and we are still of the belief that pursuing such a goal can bring significant benefits to our industry. We welcome the continuation of the relationship we already share with ADINJC, DIA and the MSA. We fully appreciate that it is likely that some policy differences between organisations may arise, depending on the views of our respective memberships, but have confidence that with these partners any differences would be discussed professionally, openly and honestly, in the pursuit and negotiation of a unified approach to matters of national importance to driver training.
This action by DISC will inevitably and understandably lead to some discord within the ADI industry and with wider stakeholders, but the current situation is untenable and by taking decisive action now we believe that this will ultimately lead to a more productive, stronger and coherent voice for driving instructors, and we hope and trust that there are other representative groups who share these goals and would continue to work with us to achieve them on a UK basis.
Ends.