1 NOVEMBER 2005
Those present: Andrew Burt (in the chair), David Davies, Sandy Hamilton, Peter Mead, Rosy Pugh, Geoff Smith, Jim Whyman (secretary).
Apologies for absence: David Hurley, Jacqueline Bickerstaff, Peter Henley and Matt Vincent.
1. Minutes of the meeting of 24 August 2005The minutes of the meeting of 24 August were signed as accurate.
2. Matters arising
None.
3. UK Legislative Matters
A. Position reports:
a. Review of number plate security measures The secretary said this topic was effectively closed as the decision had been made not to continue with what is really a trivial matter. However, it was interesting to note that during the course of a telephone conversation with the officer overseeing ACPO’s strategy on camera technology, it was acknowledged that there was no practical benefit to the ban on the creation of replacement plates in the original font, and the officer had agreed that ACPO would probably change their attitude in four or five years time because – by then – the majority of vehicles should be carrying plates in the new font anyway.
b. Measures to enforce insurance “from the record” The secretary said that Dr Ladyman, the minister at DfT, had announced on 30 September that motorists would be required to keep their vehicles insured at all times when they were not the subject of a SORN declaration. This would be achieved by means of an amendment to the Road Safety Bill that was tabled that day. The secretary said he had checked the amendment and it had made no provision to exempt vehicles off-road pre-SORN, so he had spoken to the civil servant who had been responsible for the consultation on the subject and had been assured that the regulations would exempt such vehicles. The impression was given that those responsible for drafting the amendment had been rushed into completing their draft by political pressure. The secretary said he would monitor progress. JW
c. Improving access to public transport for the disabled No discussion.
d. Transposing EU Directive 2004/42/CE (VOC) into UK law DEFRA had published the regulations translating this Directive into UK law, but these made no mention of the derogation allowing the continued supply of small quantities of non-compliant product for the correct refinishing of historic vehicles. The secretary said he had checked with his contact at DEFRA and had been reassured that further regulations giving effect to the derogation would be introduced before the deadline imposed by the recently published regulations.
e. Waste framework directive No further news.
f. MoT testing for fire engines No discussion.
g. Compulsory seat belt requirements for children The secretary said he had submitted a response to the consultation as agreed at the last meeting. It was too early to have had any feedback.
h. Retro-reflective conspicuity markings for heavy vehicles The secretary said this matter was effectively closed as he had been assured that the consultation related only to new vehicles.
j. Fitment of devices for indirect vision (mirrors) on motor vehicles As item (h).
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3. UK Legislative Matters (contd)
B. Other Matters
a. Violent Crime Reduction Bill Those present at the stand at the FBHVC stand at Beaulieu had been approached by a military vehicle enthusiast who was concerned that measures proposed in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill would effectively outlaw the purchase, sale or display in public of any vehicle carrying a replica or de-activated weapon. The secretary said he had followed up by checking that the Bill would allow the Home Office to make regulations as claimed and then asking the Military Vehicle Trust for its view. MVT had said that they had considered the matter to be outside FBHVC’s remit, but would welcome any support that FBHVC might be able to give that would limit the powers being sought by the Home Office. At a personal level, the secretary had written to his own MP but the question was: should FBHVC support MVT, and all its other subscriber organisations with an interest in historic vehicles, or keep aloof? It was agreed that FBHVC should write to the Home Office asking that the Bill should be worded so as not to include deactivated or replica weapons that were not portable because they were permanently fixed to a larger structure. [Subsequent to the meeting, the Home Office has revised the relevant sections taking de-activated weapons out of the scope of the Bill – the Military Vehicle Trust has confirmed it is satisfied.] JW
b. Insurance concerns in respect of MSA cover for events It was agreed that the secretary should write to John Symes at the Motor Sports Association to express the concerns raised at the AGM and to seek further information about MSA’s current attitude to the requirements. JW
c. Possible extension of Kent Act There had been no sign of the proposed consultation, and the secretary had yet to receive a reply to his enquiry about progress. [Subsequent to the meeting, the Home Office confirmed it is still expecting to consult on this subject, and hopes to publish the paper before the end of the year.] JW
4. All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group
Geoff Smith said Lord Montagu, David Hurley, Andrew Turner (from EPPA) and he had attended a meeting of APPHVG on 18 October. Four MPs, one of whom had previously been an MEP, had been present at various times, and all had been very positive. The meeting had concentrated on the FBHVC team advising the parliamentarians what FBHVC and FIVA were doing, including a report on the FIVA project to measure the historic vehicle movement across Europe.
5. European Report
Geoff Smith commented that he was no longer overseeing the FIVA legislation commission, and his sole responsibility to FIVA now was to complete the survey. He reported that this was progressing according to plan.
He went on to say that it was important that FIVA should also instigate further research into the environmental impact of the use of historic vehicles, and mentioned that there was a possibility of some funding from a German magazine for such a project. Other research that might be worthwhile included making a renewed assessment of the balance between the environmental impact of continuing to use an old car and the energy cost of making a replacement (something that had been done by researchers at Cardiff University some 15 years ago) and assessing public attitudes towards the use of old vehicles on the road.
As far as other European matters were concerned, there was nothing new to report since the EPPA September Update (which had been distributed in mid-October).
A brief discussion took place on whether or not FBHVC should publish a leaflet setting out the responsibilities and requirements for those travelling abroad in vehicles registered in UK. This would separate situations where a vehicle that was legal in its home territory should be deemed legal as a visitor (even though it might not comply with local construction regulations) from those where local regulations would override that principle. This was a topic for further consideration – and research. All
6. DVLA
Sandy Hamilton said there was nothing new to report from DVLA save that the FBHVC’s contact there had recently been promoted and his replacement seemed to be coping well with her new responsibilities.
7. Implementation of measures in Vision 2005-10
Since this would be primary topic for the main committee meeting on 27 November, there was no discussion.
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8. Other matters
None.
9. November/December Newsletter
The outline contents of the newsletter were discussed and the deadline was 9 November was noted.
……………………………………………… Chairman Jim Whyman, Secretary.