THE Department of Social Security has embarked on a huge overhaul of the running of its 3,200-strong fleet, shifting its centre of operations from London to Newcastle. The changes will see the departure of departmental transport manager Gwilym Anthony.

After 11 years in the post, Anthony has taken up a new position as departmental environment officer and is handing over responsibility for the fleet reins to the DSS's new transport manager Val Cowan, who will also manage the shift of the fleet operations centre from London to Newcastle, which should be completed by May. The DSS says this will bring as much administration of the fleet as possible under one roof. Until now the transport and travel expenses have been handled in Newcastle while the fleet management centre was in London.

Cowan said: 'It's early days yet, my exact job title isn't even decided. I'm a career civil servant and the running of a fleet is down to good people management and the correct processes, the same as many other areas of business, and I've got plenty of experience in that.'