Action: TR12 | Stevenage Climate Action Plan

TR12Decarbonise SBC's business travel & grey fleet

Progress

On time

Discussion
Not started
Initial scoping
Planning stage
Underway
Completed

Decarbonising SBC's transport-related emissions includes reducing carbon emissions from business travel (such as those from the grey fleet used for operational purposes) and commuting. Business travel refers to the travel undertaken by staff at the Council for work purposes, as opposed to other types of travel, such as for leisure purposes or regularly commuting between the home and workplace. This may be for example, travelling to meetings, conferences, maintenance activities, site visits, or events. Grey Fleet describes private vehicles that are used for business travel. These vehicles are owned by the employees, not by the Council.

In attempt to reduce the carbon emissions generated by business travel, the Council has implemented various initiatives for staff when conducting travel for Council needs. In addition to this, SBC ongoingly explores further potential initiatives or measures that could be taken to reduce emissions where possible.

Currently, SBC has implemented the following schemes for business travel:

Hire to Cycle Scheme Corporate Benefit - The Council has partnered with Beryl bikes, so the bikes can be used by SBC staff on Monday to Friday, between 9AM - 5PM, with individual journeys capped at 30 minutes, but as many journeys as possible per day. Further information about the scheme at: Beryl Bikes Stevenage.
Pool Bike Scheme - A mixture of regular (push) bicycles and electric bikes based at both Daneshill House and Cavendish Road Depot for staff members and Councillors to use when travelling between sites or around Stevenage. Bicycle parking is available at both sites and the bikes can be signed out by members of staff at the receptions.
Electric Vehicle Car Club - Staff members can enrol in the Electric Car Club run by Enterprise, and use these environmentally friendly vehicles for Council travel. The scheme means employees can conduct work related site visits or to go to meetings without needing to use a personal car.
Green Mileage Allowance Scheme - SBC staff members are able to use bicycles for Council travel and then claim green mileage at 20p per business mile. The UK mileage allowance rate 2024 has been set by HMRC for standard mileage reimbursement. The standard HMRC mileage rate is published each year.
Cycling Infrastructure - Stevenage has over 45 km of cycleways making it suitable for staff to use their personal bicycles or pool bikes to travel on council business locally. A cycle map of Stevenage, created by Cycling UK, has been shared with employees and is available on the staff intranet to aid individuals in finding cycle parking and routes. Cycle parking is also available at both offices for staff and six maintenance stands have been installed around the town.

Tasks

What are we doing?

2025
Implementation of a Council's Staff Cycle Hire Scheme
Working in partnership with Beryl Bikes, SBC's staff can get around Stevenage in a sustainable way during work hours. The bikes can be used by SBC staff on Monday to Friday, between 9AM - 5PM, with individual journeys capped at 30 minutes, but as many journeys as possible per day. Further information about the scheme at: Beryl Bikes Stevenage.
2027
Setup a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group
We have established a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group, which is currently discussing new incentives to support and encourage sustainable business travel among staff.

What has been done?

30/11/2025
Produce and communicate a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff
We have produced a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff, which has been promoted through the intranet and newsletter, and included in the starter pack for new officers. The pack brings together all current incentives available to support sustainable business travel.
05/01/2024
Conduct a staff survey to assess business travel baseline
Assess the current scenario of SBC staff travel for business travel and commuting via a newly updated Staff Travel Survey. The survey results will demonstrate how often officers travel on for Council business, chosen modes of transportation for doing so, and the reasoning behind that choice of transportation. The survey will also allow us to assess business travel frequency and modes of transport. Altogether, the results will input analyses for updating SBC current incentives for sustainable travel.
17/03/2023
Implement an Electric Vehicle (EV) Car Club
Staff members can now enrol in the Electric Car Club run by Enterprise, and use these environmentally friendly vehicles for Council travel. The scheme means employees can conduct work related site visits or to go to meetings without needing to use a personal car.
31/12/2019
Setup of an SBC pool bike scheme
A mixture of regular (push) bicycles and electric bikes based at both Daneshill House and Cavendish Road Depot for staff members and Councillors to use when travelling between sites or around Stevenage. Bicycle parking is available at both sites and the bikes can be signed out by members of staff at the receptions.
31/12/2019
Produce a Workplace Travel Plan 2020-2025
This plan aims to reduce car use by encouraging staff and councillors to use alternative modes of transport. As a large employer in Stevenage, the Council is keen to minimise the negative impact that over-reliance on car travel by its officers and councillors can have on the environment. Through this plan, the Council aimed to demonstrate what benefits moving to alternative modes of transport can bring and take some simple actions to make these choices more attractive.

TR12Decarbonise SBC's business travel & grey fleet

Progress

Tasks

What are we doing?

Implementation of a Council's Staff Cycle Hire Scheme

Setup a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group

What has been done?

Produce and communicate a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff

Conduct a staff survey to assess business travel baseline

Implement an Electric Vehicle (EV) Car Club

Setup of an SBC pool bike scheme

Produce a Workplace Travel Plan 2020-2025

Related actions

Portfolio Holder

Strategic Themes

Engagement type

Progress

Lead paragraph

Description

Tasks

What are we doing?

Implementation of a Council's Staff Cycle Hire Scheme

Setup a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group

What has been done?

Produce and communicate a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff

Conduct a staff survey to assess business travel baseline

Implement an Electric Vehicle (EV) Car Club

Setup of an SBC pool bike scheme

Produce a Workplace Travel Plan 2020-2025

Related actions

Summary and contacts

Portfolio Holder

Strategic Themes

Engagement type