Lavenham Press once again hosted their delightful annual tour in beautiful Suffolk at the end of June. On behalf of all our member clubs that attended – thank you for your generosity and the hard work which went in to making it such a successful day. I didn’t manage to complete the tour as our TR8 let us down… but that’s another story.
Subscription renewals were due at the beginning of June and many clubs and individuals have now paid up. Please remember that if we have to send reminders about late payment, that money and time could be better spent fighting adverse legislation. At the time of writing we still have the last 15% of club payments to collect.
We are now getting a few more photos sent in, but very few from the north of the country. I have seen criticism in club newsletters about the southern bias – but we cannot print pictures if we don’t get them sent to us!
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Note: Articles in respect of ‘Taking an Ex-military Vehicle out of the UK’ and ‘Safety of Club Archives’ can be found in the ‘See more FAQS’ section
There are a number of consultations from the Department for Transport at the moment, none of which are directly relevant to our movement but we will be looking carefully at the small print on the following: A Safer Way: Consultation on Making Britain’s Roads the Safest in the World and Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Best Practice Guidance.
We have recently had a number of queries about driving licence entitlements and driver hours and we are researching an article for a future newsletter to clarify the situation.
Scrappage scheme
In practice we regret that there is little we can do to prevent historic cars being scrapped under this scheme, and we have been dismayed to see that a few very restorable vehicles have been earmarked for destruction. However there has also been some good news, when thanks to the intervention of the Riley RM Club, Victor Riley and BMW top brass, a Riley was saved from the crusher. It could be argued that because of this scheme we are at least finding out what cars are being destroyed because the owners don’t realise they have a vehicle that could be preserved.
In many cases it cannot be in the best financial interests of the seller as the majority of our cars are worth more than the discounts that are available from dealers outside the scrappage scheme. Fortunately cases like that of the Riley remain exceptional and we are unlikely to get the government to make special arrangements on the basis of a handful of cases. Although we in the historic vehicle movement tend regard the current owner as a custodian for the time being, the harsh reality is that the car is their property to do as they like with. We can only repeat that it is up to all of us to spread the message that our motoring heritage should be preserved.
Paint
At last. After over six years, we now know where we are. In June, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published guidance for the enforcement of the various paint regulations together with a code of practice for those selling non-compliant products. The result is that if you can find a supplier who has signed up to that code of practice, have a vehicle over 30 years old and complete a straightforward one-page application form, you may purchase cellulose and other non-compliant paint.
This is not a perfect result, for reasons explained below, but is nonetheless a victory for common sense.
The European proposal to ban decorative and vehicle refinishing products that contain a high proportion of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) came to our attention in 2002. At FBHVC’s instigation, and with the help of Andrew Turner at EPPA, FIVA lobbied to ensure that the needs of those restoring historic vehicles were not ignored. The Paint Products Directive (2004/42/CE) banning the general sale of products with high levels of VOCs, contained the following exemption at Article 3(3) -
For purposes of restoration and maintenance of buildings and vintage vehicles designated by competent authorities as being of particular historical and cultural value, Member States may grant individual licenses for the sale of and purchase in strictly limited quantities of products which do not meet the VOC limit values laid down in Annex II.
Some time after the main part of the Directive had been translated into UK law, DEFRA consulted on how such a licensing scheme might be implemented. The original proposal, involving local authorities in issuing licences, was complicated. FBHVC expressed concern both at the potential costs and the likelihood that there would be variation in approach between authorities. Local authorities themselves were also very much against the proposal. DEFRA paid attention to the consultation responses, and had a re-think, eventually consulting on another proposal earlier this year. The result is the scheme that is now in place.
The reason this scheme is not perfect in that there is a mismatch between it and Article 3(3), which refers to the grant of licences on an individual-case basis, making it arguable that without such a licence, the sale of non-compliant product is technically an offence. DEFRA neatly skates round this by -
(1) publishing a code of practice for the benefit of paint suppliers;
(2) delegating responsibility for enforcement of the regulations to local authorities;
(3) providing those authorities with guidance that includes this statement:
The Paint Products Directive says that a licensing scheme can be established to allow strictly limited amounts of non-compliant paint to be marketed for painting vintage vehicles or historic buildings. Because of the administrative complexities of setting up such a scheme and the burdens on those to whom it would apply, it has been decided not to do so, but to rely on local authorities taking a proportionate approach to enforcement.
(4) pointing out that the size of the market for non-compliant product is less that 0.03% of the total paint market; and
(5) reminding local authorities of the provisions of the ‘Regulators’ Compliance Code’ and the public interest and proportionality tests to be undertaken when considering enforcement action.
DEFRA’s guidance notes acknowledge that there is no restriction on what may be purchased to repaint motorcycles, tractors, boats, planes or railway-carriages (provided it is not labelled as being also suitable for use on four wheeled road vehicles), but it is likely that this obvious loophole will be closed by the EC when it reviews the effect of the 2004 Directive.
EU LEGISLATION
(Extract from FIVA’s regular update provided by its lobbying service, EPPA)
Car scrapping subsidy introduced in many member states
As a response to the economic crisis and its impact in the car industry, 11 EU member states have so far introduced financial incentives to encourage consumers to scrap old cars in favour of newer models. The initiatives have been taken to boost sales of new cars. Governments are also arguing that the schemes will also improve the environment by removing the older, more polluting cars, from circulation.
European Parliament and Council agree amendments to petrol vapour recovery proposal
The European Commission proposal for a Directive requiring all newly-built petrol stations to install petrol vapour recovery equipment designed to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds during vehicle refuelling has now been reviewed by the European Parliament. Amendment were agreed to the effect that: new service stations will be equipped with a Stage II petrol vapour recovery system if their actual or intended throughput is greater than 500 cubic metres per annum, or if their actual or intended throughput is greater than 100 cubic metres per annum and they are situated under permanent living quarters or working areas; any existing service station which undergoes a major refurbishment will be equipped with a Stage II petrol vapour recovery system at the time of the refurbishment subject to the same volume requirements; and any existing service station with a throughput in excess of 3000 cubic metres per annum will have to be equipped with a Stage II petrol vapour recovery system no later than 31 December 2018. The agreement will also require any service station with a Stage II petrol vapour recovery system to display a sign, sticker or other notification informing consumers of that fact.
DVLA
Nigel Harrison
Registration Enquiries
The DVLA liaison person for one of the larger one-model clubs commented that, during a particularly busy week, he had eight registration enquiries and there was usually a problem with every single one. The list included: no chassis number given; incorrect postage on letter; no cheque enclosed; a non-member and no fee enclosed; registration sold some years ago and now applicant wants it back; the chassis number did not relate to the model of the car; missing forms. One application had three of the above.
A regular problem is persuading an owner that just a set of rusted-on number plates is not sufficient evidence. One individual was sent the signed paperwork for an age-related plate, and then just altered the form to attempt to claim the original number. Applicants have left phone messages, like ‘I spoke to you last week. Can you give me a ring back’ but without leaving a name or a phone number.
As a DVLA liaison person both for the Federation, and for a commercial vehicle club, I can recognise many of those problems. I would add to the omissions list - no clear photograph or ‘brass rubbing’ of chassis plate.
I have a standard letter/email to send to new applicants which is designed to catch most of those problems before they occur. The case of the chassis number not relating to that particular car is not something that an owner would necessarily be aware of, but of course is something that the specialist car clubs should be able to detect.
TRADE AND SKILLS
Tony Davies
Our Trade and Skills initiative is making some progress although inevitably the current economic climate is not helping. To date we have over 300 trade supporter members from a total of around 4000 known traders. We very much need your help to spread the word and encourage your chosen service providers to join us. I would like to see us achieve a much larger proportion of trade supporter members by the end of 2009. So please do all you can to encourage those trades people you use for your maintenance and restoration to join us.
Our AGM in October is approaching fast even while we are enjoying a real summer for a change. As well as the official business at our AGM, we will be focussing on trade and skills for our conference session that follows. During this session my intention is to address some key issues such as:
• What do we (our members) require from the trade?
• Can traders provide it?
• Is skills retention an issue?
• Are some skills endangered?
• From where do we get skills training?
• Provincial Training Establishments versus National Academy
• How can skills training be funded?
A few speakers will give us the benefit of their experience, knowledge, advice and guidance on such topics that will enable us to develop a strategy to make further progress with this vital work.
I know that our AGM is the primary forum for our clubs to express their views but I hope we can encourage a few trade supporters to attend too. In this way we can encourage constructive debate to enable us to move forward with the skills part of our trade and skills initiative. Such cooperation is essential if we are to progress as one body to protect and prolong our ownership, maintenance and use of our historic vehicles.
SUBSCRIPTIONS - ‘SUB DUE’
At the time of writing (early July), over 85% of club subscriptions and 80% of individual subscriptions had been renewed. Club officers and individuals finding a ’sub due’ message on their address label should note that we had no record of receiving a renewal by 17 July. Clubs need to use the proper renewal/declaration form (a copy can be sent on request).
Individuals can renew by sending a cheque or card details to the secretary - the individual rates are £12.50 for one year or £23 for two.
If the above applies, then this will be the final newsletter sent to you.
AGM
This will take place on Saturday, 17 October at the Hunt House, Paulerspury near Towcester by kind invitation of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club and the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation. The secretary must receive items for inclusion on the agenda and nominations for election to the Board in writing at least 42 days in advance of the meeting - that is by 4 September 2008. The formal notice of the meeting appears elsewhere in the newsletter.
Please note that the report and accounts for the period to 31 May 2009, the final agenda and details of catering arrangements will be sent automatically to club nominated contacts in mid-September and to others on request. Tickets for lunch are available at cost price from the secretary.
Conference
The formal AGM takes place in the morning and, after a buffet lunch, will be followed by the conference session. The presentation this year will focus trade and skills as described elsewhere in this newsletter.
EVENT NEWS
Colin Francis
I have recently returned from the Three Castles rally in North Wales and the Saar Lor Lux Rally in Germany. I have often considered writing about the costs of various events and pondered why British organised events usually cost so much more than most events in Europe. I have resisted writing about this topic as comparing one event and another is very difficult. One must first of all count how many days it covers, and what is included in the entry fee. For example does it cover accommodation and all meals or a mixture of both? I also think that British events are generally speaking a lot better organised than many continental ones. People often ask me what I think is the best event but I usually turn the question around and ask them what sort of event that they like. It is usually easier to say what the worst organised events are than comparing the best.
But to go back to my theme of costs: the Three Castles costs about £2000 but that does include visits to a number of very expensive places, often with refreshments and is very well organised. A similar event in the UK is the Rally of the Tests, at much the same price, it aims to recreate the RAC Rally in the years after the Second World War and usually does that with great skill. The downside is that it is run in November in bad weather but the general atmosphere it creates, with crews suitably attired, is superb. You can get full details of these events off their websites.
If you want a good foreign organised event at a more reasonable price abroad my recommendation for 2010 is the Saar Lor Lux at about €500 for two days. You can get details and my report on that event on the FIVA website at www.fiva.org and look at the Events section.
The idea for the Rally of the Tests came from Philip Young of the Endurance Rally Association who is the ideas man behind many events these days. His latest brainchild is the ‘Flying Scotsman’ rally for pre-1939 cars. If you have an older car, this is one for you. The timetable has been set for March 12-14 in 2010, departing from Brooklands and main terminus is Edinburgh. The brochure for the Flying Scotsman is excellent but overlooks the cost although it states that the package includes three night’s accommodation and all meals etc. Check out the website on www.endurorally.com
COMPANY NO. 3842316 COMPANIES ACT 1985
FEDERATION OF BRITISH HISTORIC VEHICLE CLUBS LIMITED
(a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
17 October 2009
NOTICE is hereby given that the tenth Annual General Meeting of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs Limited will take place in the C S Rolls Wing of the Hunt House, Paulerspury, near Towcester, on Saturday, 17 October 2009, starting at 1100 hours for the following purposes.
1. To receive and consider the report of the directors for the year ended 31 May 2009.
2. To receive and consider the accounts for the year ended 31 May 2009. [note 1]
3. Election of Directors. [note 2]
4. To consider any other business notified in accordance with the company’s Articles of Association. [note 3]
By order of the board
Rosy Pugh, Secretary
20 July 2009
Notes:
1. The board has elected to take advantage of the exemption from full audit available to small companies. FBHVC’s accounts have been prepared for publication by Paul Byrne FCA of Premier Accountancy
2. Ten Directors were elected at the 2007 AGM, when new Articles of Association were adopted. The Directors responsible for Legislation; Relations with Traders; Liaison with Event Organisers and Participants; Heritage Matters; and International Relations were elected for two year terms and thus retire this year.
In accordance with Article 14, an election will take place to fill these vacancies. The retiring Directors may offer themselves for re-election and new candidates are encouraged to stand. All those standing for election must comply with Article 14.4 which states that unless nominated by the Board, no person may stand for election to the Board at any general meeting unless he has been nominated in writing by a subscriber organisation of which he is a member and has indicated in writing his willingness to serve on the Board and both the nomination and the willingness to serve have been received at the registered office of the Federation not less than 42 days before the date of the meeting - which means 4 September 2009.
3. Only items that have been included on the agenda for the AGM and notified to clubs in advance of the meeting may be discussed during the formal part of the AGM. The board has discretion over the detail agenda, but will consider including additional topics at the request of subscriber organisations provided that any such request is received by the secretary by 4 September 2009.
4. The report and accounts for the period to 31 May 2009, the final agenda and details of catering arrangements will be sent automatically to club main contacts in mid-September and to others on request.
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