He said that he had previously taken the ADI qualifying theory test but had not continued to become an ADI, instead he had become an examiner and had attended Cardington before the existence of the current agency DSA. He had worked in Northern Ireland as a driving examiner on all classes of vehicles. Before moving on to be involved in the vehicle inspection side.
He welcomed the opportunity to work with the National Associations however he was surprised that there were so many.
He said that unfortunately he personally will not always be available to attend all meetings with the national associations however he will ensure he is kept up to date by those that do attend. He went on to say that as a civil servant he is responsibly to the minister, and with changing ministers comes different ideas. He as CEO has to try and make these ideas a reality.
Currently DSA and VOSA are being run by a transitional board with the full merger happening in April 2014.
Although the merger looks quite easy from the outside as both agencies were in the testing business, it is in practice quite a difficult process that that’s time. The combined new agencies turnover will be somewhere near 400 million. Getting this right is imperative.
Alastair Peoples couldn't stay for the full meeting, however the other DSA staff would report back to him. Before he left he asked if there was one item that we though he could change to help. It was suggested to allow the theory test to be split into to modules as it was for vocational licences. Lesley Young answered it was possible, but there would be cost implications. She agreed to look at this further
The items from the morning meeting were brought up and on many occasions DSA need to go back to look if it was possible for change.