The newly upgraded Nationwide Breakdown 24/7 mobile "App" is coming soon to the Android and IOS platforms along with an upgraded website which will be easier to use. There are many new functions especially to help with "Empty Road Miles" through our B2B portal which will help provide a more Efficient and Greener Industry.

NWBD Team.

The meeting was opened by Mark Duncan from Nationwide Breakdown, where the format and agenda were explained.

The items to be cover were:

1. Recovery - The Real Cost
2. PAS 43 / R License
3. Operator Safety
4. Nationwide Breakdown - Moving forward

There was to be an open question period after each item with a round up at the end.

Recovery – The Real Cost.

Mark opened this discussion with the question: "How many operators had looked at and calculated their costs?"

It was recognised that these costs were no longer just about a man in the van, but had to include things like; Administration, Staff Training, Wages, PAYE, N.I., Pension Fund, Holiday Pay, Sick Pay, Capital Investment/Vehicles ,Vehicle Depreciation, MPG, Fuel Costs, Equipment, Servicing and much more.

It was recognised that over the years as many of these costs and requirements have been made on Recovery Operators, there has been no significant increase in the "Rates" paid.

A copy of the English "Matrix" breakdown recovery calculator was circulated. The meeting indicated the impending implementation/adoption of this type of system in Scotland as soon as February 2018. It was also stated that the "English" matrix may be under review.

From a basic run through of the document it was obvious from the discussion within the meeting that it was incomplete in relation to the "Scenario" based costing and responses.

There seemed to be no provision for Burn Outs, Trailers, Caravans, Motorcycles, and spillages many of these requiring a crane or other specialist equipment, a second person or a banksman to comply with PAS 43 and Health and Safety Legislation.

From a brief around the table cost comparison it was seen that from a standard recovery the overall profit margin could be around £7.00.

It was noted that the legislation dated from 2008 and that there had been no review of the charges in the previous 9 years. Even with the calculation set against the CPI, the charges should be a least 25% higher than those listed.

The issue of long term storage of vehicles was discussed, those which go beyond Police/Procurator proceedings. It was thought that Insurance Companies, Defence Solicitors and Civil Proceedings should pay beyond the "Free Parking" obligations of the Scheme. The sum of £3.00 per day thereafter was thought to be fair in order to cover costs.

The need to assist the Police Service and Vehicle Examiners - SOCO, was also raised as there was no pricing structure for this.

In view of the varied and important nature of the some of the issue it was thought that these should be taken up by one of the Trade bodies. A member of the SVRA, said that he would bring these up at their next meeting on 16th November 2017.

PAS 43 / R License.

Mark introduced this part of the meeting by going over the main criteria for PAS 43 and proposed R Licence.

The meeting recognised that PAS 43 - 2015, was being revised.

During the discussion it was brought to our attention that some of the organisations are signing up some small independent garages with no PAS 43. These were normally in isolated areas, but the standard needed to be maintained as there were cost implications to those who were compliant. There was concern that our PAS 43 compliance is audited and then some organisations come round and do their own audit. Why?

The R License was then discussed and the feeling was that the R License is dead in the water because of the lack of funding and as an Industry guideline it would only go the way of PAS 43, if it were no full legislation.

There was then a suggestion put forward that we could combine IVR training to limit the costs - Mark is looking into this. If adequate training is done in house, by an experienced employer, documented and signed off then this is regarded as approved training, as you are seen as competent to train?

Operator Safety.

Mark opened this part of the meeting with the fact that since September 2016 three recovery operators had been fatally injured whilst working at the roadside. The last one had prompted an online petition which had received 10,948 signatures. This lead to a standard Government response citing The Highway Code, Health and Safety legislation and Employers liabilities on training through PAS 43... This response was considered by the meeting as inadequate in the light of events.

One of the main concerns was that due to the reductions in numbers of the police force - the police often leave the scene before the recovery has commenced/completed - police shortage is not vehicle recovery operator's problem but it is his problem if one of his employees is killed or injured (duty of care to employee). So therefore, the consensus was that we should be able to call out additional services - Police or Transport Scotland to protect our roadside operators.

The need for a full petition to allow the Recovery Industry the same level of safety at the roadside as the other services should be sought, with a particular view on being able to use our own "Blue Light" system.

The meeting was keen to help towards setting up a petition to enable recovery operators to use blue / magenta lights as it felt that the orange beacon was no longer recognised due to the misuse.

Nationwide Breakdown - Moving Forward.

Mark opened this part of the meeting with an explanation of how "Nationwide Breakdown" developed, along with a brief rundown on the 2017 Tow Show, its business seminar and meetings.

There was a PowerPoint highlighting the main features of the web application and a look at further developments which are hopefully to be taken and completed next year 2018. With the mobile "Apps", website and functionality it is hoped to bring to the Recovery Industry a bespoke 21st Century system to aide in their modernisation and competitiveness.

Action Points:

1. To make up a confidential "ProForma" for costing in order to get a control sample for the Recovery Industry to be able to set realistic and sustainable cost models for the future.
2. To pull together a comprehensively worded petition, for online use to put the safety of the roadside recovery operator - first.
3. To liaise with the SVRA and other industry bodies to promote the Recovery Industry.