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Annex 2: Executive Agencies of DfT with Responsibilities in Scotland
2.1 This annex covers the Executive Agencies of DfT whose remit includes Scotland.
Background
2.2 DfT has four Executive Agencies that have statutory operating responsibilities within Scotland. They are the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ( DVLA); Driving Standards Agency ( DSA); Maritime and Coastguard Agency ( MCA); and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA). In addition the Vehicle Certification Agency ( VCA), as the authority responsible for ensuring that new motor vehicles and their constituent parts meet European safety and environmental standards, can also operate in Scotland. Their functions in Scotland are reserved matters, subject to certain exceptions listed in Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. Other annexes to this concordat deal with specific arrangements relating to certain functions carried out by the agencies.
2.3 Each Agency has a framework document setting out its status, purpose and objectives; statutory and other responsibilities; the responsibilities and accountability of the Chief Executive; and the relationship within DfT and with DfT Ministers.
Executive/Agency liaison
2.4 Each Agency will nominate a point of contact for correspondence with the Executive. It will respond, as appropriate, to any reasonable request from the Executive for information relating to operational matters concerning the service delivered in Scotland, including any operating issues that have a significant impact on devolved Scottish interests.
2.5 Some information is already provided on a Scotland basis. However, the operational management structure of the Agencies reflects the character of their business in providing a consistent service in the UK. It may not reflect national or regional boundaries and accordingly there may be limits on their ability to provide detailed information on past or present activities within the boundaries of Scotland.
2.6 When Agencies propose management decisions with significant impact on employment or investment issues in Scotland, the Agency concerned will provide sufficient supporting information to the Executive so that the reason for the decision can be fully understood, and will do so in good time before the decision takes effect. Significant questions of Agency resources and structure in relation to reserved functions are matters between the Agency and DfT Ministers, bearing in mind the primary function of the Agency is to deliver a UK- or GB-wide service. Where the Executive wishes to raise questions on such issues, it will direct them to DfT centrally and not to the local or central management of the Agency concerned.
2.7 DfT will inform the Executive of proposals made for public (non-executive) appointments to the advisory boards of Agencies which operate in Scotland, and will be open to suggestions from the Executive for possible appointees to these advisory boards.
DfT will inform the Executive of all appointments made to these advisory boards, and Agencies will inform the Executive of Agency executive director appointments to be made within Scotland, that will be filled following external advertisement.
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