Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956: Provision of Compulsory Basic Training for Motorcyclists (CBT)

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A decision made 17 January 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2014-0005
Decision Summary Title :	Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 - Provision Of Compulsory Basic Training For Motorcyclists (CBT)		Date of Decision Summary:	09 January 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Business Support Officer - DVS		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 - Provision Of Compulsory Basic Training For Motorcyclists (CBT)		Date of Written Report:	9 January 2014
Written Report Author:	Business Support Officer - DVS		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 - Provision Of Compulsory Basic Training For Motorcyclists (CBT).
Decision(s): The Minister approved the folllowing :- Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited as the provider of Compulsory Basic Training for Motorcyclists (CBT) for a five year period commencing 01 March 2014, subject to signing the Service Level Agreement, and the prescribed fee for the Compulsory Basic Training course, currently £114.20, should be increased annually in line with the Jersey RPI.
Reason(s) for Decision: To maintain provision of Compulsory Basic Training for motorcyclists for the next five years.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: The Head of Driver and Vehicle Standards to advise Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited of the Minister’s decision and arrange completion of the Service Level Agreement.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956: Provision of Compulsory Basic Training for Motorcyclists (CBT)

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

ROAD TRAFFIC (JERSEY) LAW 1956

PROVISION OF COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING FOR MOTORCYCLISTS (CBT)

Purpose of the Report

To approve the appointment of Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited as the provider of Compulsory Basic Training for Motorcyclists (CBT) for a five year period commencing 01 March 2014.

Background

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Jersey) Order 2003, as amended, requires that before riding a motorcycle of category P or A1 on a road, novice riders must first pass a course of Compulsory Basic Training for motorcyclists. Article 13 of the Order states that the basic training course is “held or arranged by the Minister and conducted by an instructor approved by the Minister.” The current provider of CBT is Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited. The agreement with the current provider expires at the end of February 2014. Approximately 1,000 new riders undertake CBT each year.

Discussion

The current agreement for providing CBT expires at the end of February 2014. In view of this, advertisements were placed in the Gazette on 06, 07 and 08 November 2013 seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified organisations and persons in providing CBT for the period 01 March 2014 to 28 February 2019.

Those expressing an interest before 22 November 2013 were provided with details for submitting an application to provide CBT and the requirements to be met. The closing date for applications was 22 November 2013.

The only organisation expressing an interest and subsequently submitting an application was Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited (JSM), the current provider.

JSM’s application confirms that the company has:-

suitably qualified and experienced instructors,
access to suitable premises for classroom and off-road training1,
appropriate administration for receiving and processing applications and providing the required reports to Driver and Vehicle Standards,

to meet the standards and demand for providing CBT. (A copy of the application will be available to the Minister).

1 Historically, there have been difficulties identifying and maintaining a suitable site that provides the necessary facilities to accommodate CBT. Since December 2008, JSM has been using a site within the Bellozanne complex. It is understood that this site will continue to be used meantime, however, should TTS need to withdraw permission to use this site, it is likely that JSM will seek the Department’s support in securing suitable alternative premises.

The prescribed fee for CBT is currently £114.20. On the basis of its planned budget and expected demand, JSM has stated it will be able to honour the prescribed fee for the first year of operation and has asked the Minister to agree to continue increasing the fee annually in line with the Jersey’s RPI, as JSM’s costs in maintaining provision will rise over the period of the agreement. While it is States policy to restrict increases in fees to 2.5%, it seems reasonable to maintain the current policy of increasing the fee each January by the RPI at the previous September.

JSM has also stated in its submission that “for reasons of viability having due regard to JSM’s Budget forecast and the current £114.20 fee level” it would wish to enter into a Service Level Agreement on the basis that it would be the sole provider for CBT in Jersey. .As an open and fair application process has been followed, provided JSM continues to meet the required standards and demand, there would be no reason for the Minister to seek to appoint other CBT providers. However, bearing in mind that demand may fluctuate or other unforeseen changes arise, it would seem sensible that the Minister retains the option of appointing other providers should circumstances change significantly.

JSM has provided CBT for the past ten years, maintaining high standards and receiving very few complaints. The working relationship with the Department has been very good.

A copy of the proposed Service Level Agreement is attached.

Recommendation

In accordance with Article 13 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Jersey) Order 2003, the Minister is asked to approve :-

Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited as the provider of Compulsory Basic Training for Motorcyclists (CBT) for a five year period commencing 1 March 2014, subject to signing the Service Level Agreement,

and

Confirm that the prescribed fee for the Compulsory Basic Training course, currently £114.20, should be increased annually in line with the Jersey RPI.

Reason(s) for Decision

To maintain provision of Compulsory Basic Training for motorcyclists for the next five years.

Action Required

The Head of Driver and Vehicle Standards to advise Jersey School of Motorcycling Limited of the Minister’s decision and arrange completion of the Service Level Agreement.

Written by:	Business Support Officer, DVS

Approved by:	Director of Transport

Attachments:	Copy of the proposed Service Level Agreement.