Philip Brown has not only held onto his position as Senior Traffic Commissioner (TC), but has also gained additional powers, following a recruitment exercise among the TCs late last year.
When the Local Transport Act 2008 comes into force in the spring, the role of Senior TC will become a statutory appointment, with powers to issue directions and guidance to the other TCs.
Brown's current role of Senior TC is purely an administrative appointment with no additional powers beyond those of a TC.
The strengthening of the role will enable Brown to determine how the other six TCs perform their statutory functions, as well as determining which functions each TC works on.
Brown says there will be more flexibility in the system because TCs will be able to specialise in certain areas, which is something he's keen to develop.
Although he does not expect to make any changes straight away, he does have some initial goals.
"It will enable me to drive the reforms in the way we operate in order to achieve a more efficient O-licensing system, and I will be looking to make the administrative functions more constant across the regions," says Brown.
The Local Transport Act 2008 will also provide new powers for the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, to issue guidance to the statutory Senior TC. The DfT plans to undertake a consultation exercise on draft guidance in the early part of 2009.
James Hookham, director for policy and communications at the FTA, says: "Brown already has a strong track record as TC.
"The TCs' judicial role of rewarding and revoking licences, alongside the role of VOSA as enforcement agency, is the key element in the success of the O-licensing scheme."
