Spotlight on a Policy Manager – turning policy into customer information

As the Head of Compliance Information in the Policy team, I am responsible for the Member Advice Centre (MAC) and Logistics UK’s compliance information output. The Policy team helps shape policy with policymakers and other stakeholders, and my team then provides the practical advice and information on how to comply with legislation. I am the link at the point where policy becomes information.

When a legislation change comes along, my role is to put that across as information to members. That could be through the 4,000 emails and 10,000 calls received by the MAC each year, or through our compliance webinars and factsheets, or the compliance guides and accompanying briefing notes produced by the Policy team which we keep up to date.

As one of the key member-facing parts of Logistics UK, it’s vital that we keep up to date on what’s going on in the logistics industry to give members confidence in the information we supply. The MAC is a knowledge hub within Logistics UK and is trusted to provide good and accurate advice. We work side-by-side with the Policy team, and the other Logistics UK operational teams, to keep up to date with changes.

One of last year’s focuses for operators was the bridge strike challenge. With around five HGVs hitting a bridge each day, this remains a priority for the Traffic Commissioners to resolve and we have created both written and visual content to support members. My team is currently reviewing the driver walkaround check information, ensuring that height checking and marking is prominent on the check list documentation to help operators mitigate this problem. The check list supports operators to be compliant with the legal requirement to complete a walkaround check prior to driving a vehicle. We have released a new HGV check list to members which is available in the Logistics UK Shop, and we are currently working on the other remaining vehicle documentation.

Another popular call to the MAC has been on tachograph manual entries for occasional drivers. We have compiled a factsheet to support this particular issue, which can be used in conjunction with advice, and was also covered in the recent ‘Compliance Calendar’ member briefing webinar.

Webinars are one of the great ways for us to share member information and updates. This year’s webinar series has just kicked off and I encourage people to tune in and keep up to date with the series. The Logistics UK website has details of upcoming topics and how to register, and it’s free to members.

We’re also heavily involved in the production of compliance pieces for the Transport Manager conference series, which takes place towards the end of the year.

Logistics UK gets to deal with the ‘engine room’ of the industry – the people who are working on the ground – through the operational teams and by speaking to members in the MAC, which allows us to take a temperature check of the industry. We use this insight internally to provide feedback to the Policy team on the challenges members are facing. We are looking to take the MAC onto the road this year to have a more visible presence to members. Members will be able to ask the team questions face to face through a ‘MAC clinic’ at key events. For example, we are planning to hold a free face-to-face member briefing in May. My team and I love a challenging question – we enjoy getting into the detail of the rules and regulations to answer queries. So join us at a MAC clinic and bring your most challenging questions. Details to register for this will be released on the Logistics UK website soon.

As part of keeping member information up to date, we regularly update key publications, including the Yearbook of Road Transport Law, European Road Freight Guide and driver handbooks (van and truck). The Yearbook has just been renewed for January and members will have received a copy. This publication is considered the bible of road transport law in terms of the information it provides and it consolidates key information into one document. I encourage everyone in the industry to review the updated guide and make use of it. Additional copies are also available at the Logistics UK Shop. Our next priority is the European Road Freight Guide, which we will be reviewing and releasing in April.

*www.logistics.org.uk/mac

Published On: 19/01/2023 16:00:01

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