Getting rid of the paper log jams
Dredger ‘Ben Crom’ at work in Tayinloan, a regular task. Many operations would be made easier by streamlining applications. Photo: P Mackie
In the past, marine licenses were often delayed by the necessity for the physical receipt and passing on of a number of pieces of paper, which often created log-jams in a complex system.
Matthew Fletcher of IT company Fivium told MJ that marine licenses cover a whole host of processes, including dredging, construction, disposal, wind farms, and even burials at sea. So, it’s a complex procedure that can easily be held up if one section is delayed, but a new software process should, according to Mr Fletcher, ‘ease the flow’.
The project will align business processes and IT systems supporting UK marine licences to enable greater transparency for users and the public. Mr Fletcher explained that the new software will help the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) weigh up applications, which, if successful, will result in an electronic licence in the form of a digital (PDF) document.
He said ‘There’s no physical piece of paper to lose, and it can be easily shared around.’
Because it can be held on a central web-accessed application, much of it can be done at the same time, without everything being caught in a one way process flow.
This also means supporting documents can be relayed simultaneously. In the past it has been common for someone to hang onto a critical bit of paper while they sort out what it means for them, which obviously holds up the process.
Mr Fletcher continued, ‘One of the key aspects that will make life easier for people is that there will now be one consolidated form for all of the below applications, allowing companies to submit multiple related applications all on one form. This will help companies that are working on projects that cover multiple licensable activities and will also mean that the MMO and its advisors will easily be able to treat the whole project as one and have all of the information to hand.’
Under the project there will also be a pre-application enquiry form that will allow anyone to submit an enquiry as to whether or not their proposed activity is feasible and if it will require a licence under current legislation. This in itself should help the MMO caseload.
Although there won’t be a general open access to the system, the MMO will accept letters of opposition and will scan them on to the system and link them to the application so that all parties are aware of any issues being raised by the public.
Fivium and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) are at present working together to deliver a fully centralised system which will become operational from 6 April this year.
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