SHORTLIST: Cory Laywood, of Leicester Council
Leicester City Council have been shortlisted for an Employee Benefits Award for their low-carbon salary sacrifice car scheme.
After being implemented alongside Tusker in November last year, the green car scheme has now received a nomination in the Best Staff Travel Policy category.
It is available to more than 13,600 eligible employees within Leicester City Council’s 18,000-strong workforce.
Leicester City Council already provided employees with salary sacrifice arrangements covering cycles and buses and felt that, by providing new cars as well, they were offering employees the total transport solutions necessary for them to get to work.
The green car scheme has now opened up new car ownership to a much wider audience within the Council, while making substantial savings in National Insurance and pension contributions.
So far, 83 new car orders have been placed within the first four months of the scheme going live.
“We have worked very hard to bring in a number of transport alternatives for staff at Leicester Council…this recognition is the fruition of all that hard work.”
Cory Laywood, Leicester City Council
The Council set a carbon cap of 120g/km for the scheme, which is inclusive of motor insurance, servicing and maintenance, Road Fund Licence, roadside assistance, tyres and glass.
It also offers protection against redundancy, resignation and maternity leave, to encourage staff to choose fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly vehicles.
The scheme was set up under the terms of a Pan Government Collaborative Framework Agreement originally established by North Yorkshire County Council when introducing their own salary sacrifice car scheme with Tusker three years ago.
Under the agreement, the Tusker scheme is available for use by all UK contracting public sector authorities, including government departments, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, the NHS, Local Authorities, Police Authorities and Emergency Services.
Cory Laywood, HR, Pay and Benefits Manager at Leicester City Council, said the Council were delighted to have been shortlisted.
“In terms of approved new car orders, we are ahead of where we expected to be at this stage, as we were looking for 100 orders for the first 12months,” he said.
“That we’ve exceeded our expectations is down to the broad range of cars available under the Tusker scheme, from budget models to more luxurious cars.
“As a result, it appeals to a very wide audience within the Council.
“We have worked very hard over the last three years to bring in a number of transport alternatives for staff at Leicester City Council and this recognition is the fruition of all that hard work.
“Personally, it gives me a great sense of achievement.”
David Hosking, CEO of Tusker, added: “We are delighted that Leicester City Council has been shortlisted in this way and it is recognition of all the hard work and effort they have put in in providing a range of transport solutions for all staff.
“We wish them all possible success at the event.”
The winners of the Employee Benefits awards will be announced during a lunch-time ceremony on June 27, at the Honourable Artillery Company, London.
