Members commit to working together

Item Added 23 March 2009

Collaboration, political influencing and practical solutions are the aspirations for new network members

SPARKS Network members who attended their first webinar are looking forward to supporting each other in political lobbying and collaborating on developing practical solutions to the FRV issues.

Cynthia Van der Linden from Belgium said: “We are pleased to know that we can cooperate in tabling amendments. One of our priorities for the programme is to be able to see some real accomplishments such as bilateral agreements with other members and cooperation in lobbying and influencing our own MEPs. I’m looking forward to resources from SPARKS to help with political lobbying.”

Henk de la Mare of The Netherlands said: “We are glad to hear there are lots of initiatives by SPARKS. We would like to have more members in The Netherlands.”

Olga Houlihan from the Republic of Ireland said: “We are looking forward to working with UK authorities in exchanging keeper information and expanding these arrangements to other European countries in the future. It will be really positive for enforcement.”

In the first SPARKS Network webinar, on Thursday 19 March, members were introduced to the team and given an overview of current political activities in the UK and Brussels.

UK activities include updates on progress about data exchange between licensing authorities in the UK and other EU member states, the recent presentation to a Transport Select Committee evidence session and submissions to relevant consultations such as continuous insurance enforcement.

The immediate focus in Brussels is on influencing the progress of the urban mobility action plan and the cross border enforcement directive, as well as meetings with key officials in the commission, parliament and council.

An hour long recording of the webinar is available at March Webinar