GREENING THE FLEET STAFF TRAVEL OPTIONS

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1 ITEM NO. 5 Report To: CARBON REDUCTION PANEL Date: 21 January 2010 Reporting Officer: Robin Monk: Assistant Executive Director Technical and Property Services Paul Jennings Engineering Operations Manager Nigel Gilmore Principal Engineer Subject: Report Summary: Recommendations: GREENING THE FLEET STAFF TRAVEL OPTIONS The report identifies options to help reduce staff travel costs including reducing fuel consumption and improving carbon emissions across the Authority. In addition the report shows progress with updating the Staff Travel Plan That the Panel notes the report and supports the actions being taken. Links to Community Strategy: Policy Implications: Financial Implications: (Authorised by the Borough Treasurer) Legal Implications: (Authorised by the Borough Solicitor) Risk Management: Access to Information : Energy reduction initiatives supports the Community Strategy and helps mitigate the effects of climate change at a local level Energy reduction initiatives are undertaken in accordance with Council policy. All initiatives must be undertaken within existing budgets. It should be noted that a capital bid for eco friendly cars was unsuccessful in the Autumn bidding round and further work is needed on how these might be funded in the future. A reduction in travel related costs could assist service areas identify savings targets. The Council has a statutory duty to deliver services efficiently and effectively to ensure value for money is achieved. How well the Council is performing is measured in part by the Use of Resources Assessment undertaken by the Audit Commission. This report sets out a number of potential proposals which will need to be considered in more depth and expediency in order to achieve savings. Risk management is in line with Council policy. Any background papers or further information can be obtained from the report author, Paul Jennings, Engineering Operations Manager, who can be contacted on:- Telephone: paul.jennings@tameside.gov.uk

2 1.0 GREENING THE FLEET BACKGROUND 1.1 The Executive Leader announced in the State of the Area Address (November 2009), a commitment to reduce carbon emissions in Tameside by 10% during 2010 ( 10:10 ) 1.2 Following an Energy Savings Trust health check undertaken in April 2007, a number of recommendations were determined, many of which have since been implemented, across the Authority s own fleet, however, further work is still outstanding for private vehicles used by staff whilst carrying out official council business, ( grey fleet ). The following recommendations were submitted: Energy Savings Trust Health Check report recommendations Priority Report ref. Recommendation Encouraging cleaner vehicles and fuels MEDIUM 3.1 Continued adoption of cleaner vehicles for the fleet MEDIUM 3.2 Introduction of hybrid cars onto fleet MEDIUM 3.4 Introduce controls for standard of private cars used Reducing fuel consumption HIGH 4.1 Improve fuel data and undertake individual vehicle monitoring MEDIUM 4.2 Introduction of training and guidance for employees on fuel efficient driving and adopt SAFED training Purpose & benefits Reduce fuel consumption and emissions Reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Underline environmental commitment and lead by example. Encourage employees to use cleaner cars Fuel consumption can be managed effectively including targets for reduction Fuel consumption reduced Estimated CO 2 reduction Value in CO 2 kg 5% (8 g/km) reduction in 21,286 bunker fuel consumption (including normal improvements in engine technology) Included within above - 7.5% reduction in grey fleet emissions (including normal improvements in engine technology) 5% reduction in bunkered fuel consumption 87,150 21,286 Included in 4.1 above - Reducing the number of miles travelled MEDIUM 5.1 Monitor grey fleet mileage and identify opportunities for reduction Vehicle mileage reduced 2.5% reduction in grey fleet emissions 29,050

3 1.3 A further report was submitted to the Energy Panel (August 2009) which identified six potential options the council could undertake to help reduce carbon emissions and cut costs of travel for staff whilst they undertake their council duties, namely: a) Operate a staff lease car scheme; b) Procure eco friendly cars for staff use (high car mileage users); c) Increased use of existing Community Transport buses; d) Increased usage of video (web cam conference style) technology; e) Increased use of cycling facilities; and f) Flexible working/working differently (reduction of movements). 2.0 OPTIONS FOR STAFF TRAVEL REDUCTIONS 2.1 From the above list of options the following actions are being considered for implementation: a) Operate a staff lease car scheme - No actions yet taken. However, other considerations and options are being collated on how staff car allowance expenditure across the council can be reduced. These include potential budget reductions for travel related costs (say 10%), which might then contribute to funding of schemes that support the 10:10 commitment. b) Procure eco friendly cars for staff use (high car mileage users) It was estimated that the costs of providing a trial of 6 eco friendly cars (using conventional diesel power) would be approximately 60k, (see Table 1 below). However, the preferred use of electric vehicles was considered more problematic, as recharging points would be necessary around the Borough to enable staff to recharge vehicles either overnight or during the normal working day. Currently, this infrastructure is not yet readily available. Table 1. List of typical eco-friendly cars currently available on the market MAKE MODEL ENGINE SIZE CO2 g/km MPG COMBINED PRICE ( ) No. SEATS No. DOORS FUEL TYPE MERCEDES SMART DIESEL SUZUKI ALTO DIESEL PEUGEOT PETROL CITREON C PETROL FORD KA DIESEL FORD FIESTA(ECONIC) DIESEL KIA PICANTO PETROL HYUNDAI I PETROL FIAT PETROL SEAT ECOMOTIVE DIESEL ELECTRIC Range (miles) REVA G-WHIZ N/A ELECTRIC MEGA CITY N/A 0 N/A ELECTRIC CITREON C1 N/A ELECTRIC Following this initial analysis, further work was undertaken to determine options for providing electric recharging points and a local company ( Fabricon Ltd, based in Ashton-

4 under-lyne) were contacted, who are themselves, developing a unit that might provide a suitable solution. Although no firm costs or proposals are available yet, productive meetings with their Managing Director are continuing with a view to providing a demonstrable, solution to the Energy Panel early in This is likely to include their prototype electric recharging tower which could be sited within council car parks across the Borough. Should this provide a viable and cost effective method for fuelling electric vehicles, then further detailed cost analysis will be undertaken including funding mechanisms for procurement of this unit and suitable electric vehicles (for both the Authority s fleet and staff use). This unit may also include smart communications similar to those being trialled within street lighting columns, which could potentially enable all residents / businesses to plug and charge their own private vehicles, with subsequent recharging of costs through existing council payment systems. c) Increased use of existing Community Transport buses Increased use of our existing Community Transport Buses are being developed with GMPTE with the Ring and Ride service. This will complement the existing services already provided for Adult Services and Children and Young People Services, but could be further increased to allow staff to pre-book transport for their own needs (e.g. external group meetings etc.). This project is supported by the AGMA Collaborative services team and further details are expected once a Project Manager is established in early d) Increased usage of video (web cam conference style) technology - No actions yet taken e) Flexible working/working differently (reduction of movements) A number of actions from individual service areas are being developed to support working differently these include: 3.0 TRAVEL PLAN UPDATE 3.1 Since the last update officer time has been spent in taking forward a number of easy win initiatives and subject to appropriate approvals these will form part of the plan s proposed relaunch early in the new financial year. The proposed initiatives will consist of: Revamping the authority s transport related intranet pages under the council s 10:10 banner and linking them in a more cohesive and user friendly manner; The potential launch a salary sacrifice annual bus season ticket type scheme subject to approval by HMRC - to operate in a similar way to the authority s Bike to Work initiative to operate on a year round basis; The relaunch of the staff car sharing database; The promotion/ reinvigoration of the Bike To Work scheme as part of the launch; and The signing up to the Department for Transport s nationwide initiative Cycle to Work Guarantee. This commits the authority to delivering a number of initiatives and include:: o Secure, safe, and accessible bike parking facilities for all staff who want them (Ongoing initiative); o Good quality changing and locker facilities for all staff who want them (Ongoing Initiative); o Offset the cost of cycling equipment and save on the tax through the Cycle to Work scheme (Delivered) ;

5 o Bike repair for cyclists on or near site (To be delivered); and o A training, reward and incentive programme to achieve targets for more cycling (To be delivered). 3.2 In addition and to underpin the relaunch of the plan: o New cycle stands have been installed at TAC and delivered to Tame Street Depot for installation; and o The Bike to Work scheme has been successfully launched with 95 approvals given during the 3 month launch period. 3.3 Members should note that salary sacrifice is not currently available for rail travel. 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 That the Panel notes the actions being taken and supports further work in respect of options: i) Procure eco friendly cars for staff use (high car mileage users) ii) Increased use of existing Community Transport buses iii) Re-launch of the Staff Travel Plan 4.2 Further reports to be brought to future meetings of the Energy Panel showing further progress and identifying findings from the trials and analysis of costs and benefits with respect of eco friendly cars.