Earlier this month, States Members on the panel heard from motor trade representatives who warned that they were struggling to recruit enough staff to carry out their day-to-day duties.
One garage owner even warned that the States would need to bring people to the Island on licence, if the checks were introduced – to avoid pulling staff from an already depleted pool of technicians.
And last month, one St Helier business warned that some smaller garages, which do not have the space for test equipment, could be disadvantaged – with the public choosing to have their inspection and any necessary work done at the Island’s larger garages instead.
The Scrutiny panel, which is chaired by St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson, has now summed up its conclusions from its hearing on the matter, which is due to be debated in the States on 20 November.
‘The panel feels that the decision as to whether vehicle inspections are carried out at a States test facility or outsourced to independent garages is a matter which warrants further scrutiny,’ the report said.
‘This is likely to have significant cost and recruitment/manpower implications, not only for the States, but also for the motor industry.
‘The panel is of the opinion this should be brought to the States Assembly for debate at such time as the full business case is made available.’
The panel has also raised concerns about the final cost of an inspection and how the cost of inspections are set in the future.
‘Whilst the Minister has given indicative figures of approximately £40-60 per test, there is no certainty that these will be the final costs,’ it said.
‘Furthermore, if the proposition is approved as it stands, this decision-making power will be preserved for future ministers, who will have the automatic power to amend the fees at their discretion.
‘This creates a potential situation where costs could be increased beyond what might now be considered a “reasonable” cost.’
