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TERMS OF REFERENCE AND RULES FOR THE FREIGHT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
(FTC)
The objective of these Terms of Reference is to set out principles by which the FTC
operates.
1. Purpose
The Freight Technical Committee (FTC) brings together freight vehicle engineers to enable
the freight industry to have the standards and other documents necessary to work safely and
cost effectively. This will be achieved both through producing its own standards and
guidance and by collectively commenting on standards and other documents produced
elsewhere.
To support this activity, the FTC discusses technical matters relating to the design
construction, maintenance, repair, operational interfaces and in-service incidents and
investigations as applicable to freight vehicles. The scope of involvement covers both
domestic and internationally operated vehicles.
2. Membership
The FTC membership will comprise of representatives from 6 constituencies:
1 Network Rail
(3 representatives)
2
Licensed Freight Operators
(1 representative for
each Operator)
3
Private Wagon Federation
(3 representatives)
4
Entities in Charge of Maintenance
(where not represented by lor 2)
(1 representative for
each ECM)
5
Wagon owners/keepers
(where not represented by 1/2/3 or 4)
(1 representative)
6
RSSB
(1 representative)
It is the responsibility of the constituencies to nominate the members of the FTC.
Members can also be co-opted by unanimous agreement at an FTC meeting.
Observers shall also be invited to join the FTC committee meetings as agreed at an FTC
meeting. Normally an ORR observer shall be invited.
As a minimum the FTC will have the following officers:
Chairman
Secretary — RSSB
(appointed by FTC)
(appointed by RSSB)
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The Chairman shall be a qualified engineer elected and approved by the FTC from the
membership. A new election shall be held whenever an individual member requests it and
at least every three years. RSSB will provide the Secretariat.
Attendance of guests at a meeting shall be decided by the Chairman.
3. Operation
To be quorate a committee meeting shall include the following minimum numbers
1
Network Rail
(1 representative)
2
Licensed Freight Operators
(4 representatives)
3
Private Wagon Federation
(2 representatives)
4
Entities in Charge of Maintenance
(1 representative)
6
RSSB
(1 representative)
The committee will operate by achieving consensus with each organisation expressing a
single view. Should a vote be necessary each organisation has one vote (irrespective of
number of representatives at the committee meeting).
The frequency of meetings will be three times per year minimum.
The FTC shall be a sub-committee of the RSSB Rolling Stock Standards Committee.
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RULES FOR THE FREIGHT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (FTC)
The objective of these Rules is to enable the FTC Terms of Reference to be implemented.
1. AGENDA
a) The agenda will be forwarded, via e-mail in pdf format, at least one week prior to the
meeting, with any supporting documentation or reports.
2. MINUTES
a) The minutes will be produced by RSSB on behalf of the FTC in accordance with the
requirements set out in the Railway Group Standards Manual.
b) The draft minutes will be circulated to FTC members within four weeks of the
meeting.
c) The draft minutes shall be agreed at the subsequent meeting, and only after the
minutes are agreed are they permitted to be transmitted beyond FTC
representatives.
3.
DATES OF MEETING(S)
a) The meeting dates will be agreed annually and will be updated as required.
b) The meeting time is to be 09.00 hours to 15.00 hours or as otherwise agreed by the
FTC.
4. LOCATION
a) The location of the meetings to be decided by FTC and arranged by the Secretary.
b) The meetings will normally be held at the rtc Business Park, Derby and the room
booked by Network Rail.
c)
Alternatively, meetings may be held at RSSB offices at The Helicon, 1 South Place,
London, EC2M 2RB.
d) Where it is decided to hold meetings at an FTC member's premises; that member will
cover the meeting arrangements and costs.
5. AGREEMENTS
a) Any FTC developed Rail Industry Standards / Codes of Practice shall be developed
in accordance with the Railway Group Standards Code and Manual.
b) The FTC shall seek the views all affected parties on Rail Industry Standards / Codes
of Practice, before seeking approval of the Rolling Stock Standards Committee for
publication.
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6. TERMS FOR DISCUSSION
The FTC will work to deliver its purpose through regular review of:
a) Railway Group Standards, Codes of Practice.
b) FTC Rail Industry Standards.
c) National and International Standards (TSIs and ENs) — draft and issued.
d) Incidents / mishaps / investigations and reports.
e) National Incident Reports (NIRs).
f)
Technical and Operational issues that impact on common wagon technical areas.
7. GENERAL
a) Standards produced by the FTC will be called Rail Industry Standards or
Codes of Practice.
b) FTC developed Rail Industry Standards / Codes of Practice will be recommended for
approval to the Rolling Stock Standards Committee.
c) It will be the Chairman's responsibility to ensure that all decisions are made promptly
and that the process of establishing FTC Rail Industry Standards / Codes of Practice
is achieved in a timely manner.
d) RSSB will arrange the administration associated with the documentation together
with the preparation of FTC minutes.
e) Representatives will attend the FTC and associated working groups at their own cost.
f) All FTC members agree to abide by these rules.
N
Neil Halliday
Chairman of FTC
November 2015
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