Tuesday 25 November 2008
SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff
On 25 November 2008 the Wales Audit Office ran a Fleet Management Conference at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff. The Conference was designed to share Good Practice to help improve services, reduce costs and minimise the environmental impact of the Welsh public sector fleet.
The event was attended by over 120 delegates from across the public sector. The Conference attracted a range of high profile speakers and exhibitors including Quentin Willson (TV presenter and journalist), Tony Cowley (National Fleet & Logistics Manager for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust) and David Melding (Assembly Member and Chair of the Assembly Audit Committee).
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Tony Cowley
Welsh Ambulance Services Trust,
National Fleet and Logistics Manager |
Tony ran through what the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust had done over the last two years to improve its fleet, giving many examples that were transferable to organisations across the Welsh public sector.
The first part of the presentation concentrated on partnership working, explaining how:
- fleet staff and paramedics were consulted to ensure the ambulances met the needs of staff and users; and
- Welsh public sector organisations had been encouraged to work together to gain greater access to, and more cost effective, fuel and maintenance provision.
The second part of the presentation concentrated on staff engagement which had made a positive impact on:
- staff morale by involving them in shaping the vehicle designs and the benefits that this has had on the ability to deliver their role more efficiently and save valuable minutes at critical times; and
- reducing staff sickness, ill health and early retirement.
Finally, Tony also identified the improved efficiencies the Trust had achieved which included:
- reduced downtime, lower costs and improved passenger response times; and
- improved fuel efficiency with less impact on the environment.
Click here to download Tony's presentation
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David Melding
National Assembly for Wales,
Assembly Member |
David provided an overview of the role of the National Assembly’s Audit Committee and his role as its Chair.
David then went on to clarify what was required at both local and national levels in order to improve the public sector fleet:
- ensuring all organisations have a Fleet Management Strategy;
- establishing national and regional benchmarking groups;
- providing greater procurement support to maximise value for money;
- improving the customer focus of the services offered by Value Wales;
- assessing the level of take-up and the effectiveness of Value Wales contracts, and taking appropriate action to maximise both; and
- providing advice, guidance and support on sustainability
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Quentin Willson
Motoring Journalist and Presenter |
Quentin provided an external independent perspective on a range of fleet issues including:
- encouraging more collaborative working between the Welsh public sector and also the private sector;
- improving efficiencies through the sharing of good practice and challenging delegates to review their current approaches; and
- reviewing current practices to consider sustainability and balance the needs of the service with sustainable practices.
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Jeremy Colman
Wales Audit Office,
Auditor General |
Jeremy identified that effective fleet management can improve service delivery, enhance driver and public safety, reduce operating costs and minimise the environmental impact of the fleet.
Jeremy reported that the Welsh public sector collectively operates approximately 16,000 vehicles which in 2006/2007 cost over £200 million per annum to run. These vehicles drive some 250 million miles per annum - this equates to over 1,100 trips to the moon. These journeys generate over 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per annum which is enough to fill 145,000 Olympic swimming pools.
Jeremy presented the findings of the Wales Audit Office National Fleet Management Briefing which concluded that across Wales, the approach to fleet management does not yet make best use of resources to support effective service delivery:
- most organisations do not have robust fleet management strategies. They rarely challenge the need for journeys, or the way in which fleet services are delivered. Performance management of fleet services is also limited;
- procurement arrangements are variable. There is limited joint working and use of central contracts. Consideration of ‘whole life costs’ of decisions was limited;
- most organisations have effective arrangements to help ensure the efficient use of their fleets but there is insufficient consideration of the grey fleet (employees’ own cars used for business purposes); and
- disposal arrangements are variable and not all organisations are obtaining value for money in this area.
Click here to download the October 2008 Fleet Management Briefing
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Anthony Snow
Wales Audit Office,
Chief Operating Officer |
Anthony set out why the Wales Audit Office is involved in Shared Learning and Good Practice. The answer is straightforward – to help Public Services avoid reinventing the wheel.
Anthony provided delegates with information on web based products the Wales Audit Office has developed for Fleet Management, Grants Management, Sickness Absence Management, Occupational Health, Buildings Management and Faster Accounts Closure. Where appropriate these include self assessment tools and case studies to assist users.
Specifically for Fleet Management, Anthony ran through the Wales Audit Office Good Practice Exchange website which includes:
Click here to download Anthony's presentation
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Quentin Willson praised the Wales Audit Office for organising the Conference and said:
“It’s really great to see a public body like this re-examining everything they do when it comes to cars, transport, fleets and vans. There are lessons here that will be learned across the private sector too, and among private individuals. Hundreds of millions of pounds are spent on vehicle fleets in the public sector, and not only are these bodies financially accountable and have a moral duty to show they are spending the money properly, but there are lessons that can be learned across the wider transport sector.”
The WAO Fleet Management Conference was both well attended and well received. A survey found that 93% of delegates who responded rated the Conference as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. The WAO also received some very positive feedback from the delegates from those pleased with the venue and presentations through to delegates who welcomed the opportunity to share their experiences with fellow fleet professionals.
Below is a selection of quotes from delegates on the day:
"The Conference overall was excellent, with some outstanding presentations. Well worth attending. Thank you."
"The conference outlined some clear objectives regarding management of transport fleets and confirmed my view that organisations should eliminate where possible use of "grey fleet" vehicles."
"It was a Welsh event, therefore a local perception was given. I found the presentations were good and relevant."
"I had the feeling we are all out to achieve the same common goal - best value.
"It raised my awareness across a host of fleet management issues."
"Recognised we all have the same issues and problems."
"Getting the views of other attendees and how they approach various issues."
"The workshops gave pointers on benefits to be gained from introducing new processes, procedures etc. They were concise and well managed."
"Both workshops attended were excellent. Pitched at the right level and delivered extremely well."
"Very good venue, and the mix of clients were set right."
"Useful opportunity to share experience across the wider public sector in Wales."
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Workshop 1 — Strategic approach to training and development
Mark Kerr, Chief Executive Powys County Council
Mark provided an insight into Powys County Council’s strategic approach to the engagement, training and development of staff who use Council vehicles in discharging their duties. Mark also ran through the positive impact of the Council’s approach which included reduced fuel usage, accidents and sickness absence.
Finally, Mark mentioned a number of other good practice initiatives within the Council including its new travel allowance.
Click here to download the presentation
Workshop 2 — Developing a green, safe and efficient fleet
Dale Eynon & Rob Lane, Environment Agency
Dale set out how the Agency has developed a sustainable, safe and efficient fleet which meets operational requirements. Rob then went on to showcase the ‘travel hierarchy’ developed by the Agency for travel guidance for staff. Examples of alternative technologies that the Agency has or is trialling, and its experiences with them (eg. LPG), were also discussed.
Finally, Dale and Rob ran through the efficiency gains that the Agency has benefited from as a result of its sustainable approach to Fleet Management.
Click here to download the presentation
Workshop 3 — Fleet safety initiatives introduced at British Gas
John York British Gas
With responsibility for over 10,000 vehicles, Jon provided delegates with some innovative solutions from the private sector focusing on 3 key themes:
Sustainability/Fuel Management
- programme of introducing speed limiters;
- trade off with staff to improved fuel efficiency and reduced accident rates
Communicating with remote workers
- field text messages
- other forms of communication for remote workers
Looking after your driving licence and your job
- employment checks
- licence checks
- speed limit reminders
Click here to download the presentation
Workshop 4 — Understanding the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007
Claire Rawle Morgan Cole Solicitors
Through a presentation and role play, Claire set out the implications of the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 on Welsh public sector organisations. The workshop provided delegates with further information on the key risks in respect of their fleet, and guidance on what they should be doing to mitigate those risks.
Click here to download the presentation
Biographies
Click here to view the workshop speakers' biographies
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| Demonstrators and exhibitors |
The following organisations kindly supported the Conference:
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If you require any further information please contact Geraint Norman at geraint.norman@wao.gov.uk or 07810 056 683.
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