Action: TR2 | Stevenage Climate Action Plan

TR2Incentives for Council's staff sustainable commuting

Progress

On time

Discussion
Not started
Initial scoping
Planning stage
Underway
Continuous

Decarbonising the Council's transport-related emissions includes reducing carbon emissions from business travel (such as those from the grey fleet used for operational purposes) and commuting. Staff commuting refers to the transportation of employees between their homes and their workplaces. It includes various modes of travel, such as private, shared or hired cars, buses, trains, bicycling, and walking. The environmental impact of staff commuting is considerable, primarily due to emissions generated by individual vehicles, contributing to air pollution and global warming.

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

Currently, SBC has implemented the following schemes to promote sustainable commuting:

Smart Go Benefits - The Council is a member of SmartGo Stevenage, a scheme which helps employers to encourage low-carbon transport for their staff, providing discounted workplace travel via several benefits. SBC staff can access discounts and incentives to help make commuting cheaper, easier, or healthier, including discounts on seasonal rail and bus tickets, bus passes, railcards, and offers to buy bicycles.
Cycle to Work Scheme - The Council also provides a bicycle salary sacrifice scheme, provided by the Green Commute Initiative. This enables staff to get a voucher for a bicycle or e-bike, and accessories, for up to £3,600, spreading payments over up to 36 monthly salary deductions from their gross pay.
Bike Storage & Maintenance Facilities - The Council provides bike storage at Daneshill House with space for 12 bicycles, 6 within a lockable cycle hangar on site. There is additional storage on street to the front of Daneshill House and on site at Cavendish for staff that commute to work. Five maintenance stands have been installed within Stevenage to ensure those who are cycling have access to tools needed to complete any repairs whilst cycling.
In attempt to encourage sustainable commutes and generate income, the Council has limited staff car parking at St George’s MSCP only.
The 2023 Staff Travel Survey also assessed staff views on reducing the number of free car parking days in line with their working patterns.
Additionally, through new ways of working including hybrid working, the Council is supporting commuting-related emissions reductions.

Tasks

What are we doing?

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 commuting among staff.
2027
Smart Go Stevenage membership
The Council is a member of SmartGo Stevenage, a scheme which helps employers to encourage low-carbon transport for their staff, providing discounted workplace travel via several benefits. SBC staff can access discounts and incentives on seasonal rail and bus tickets, bus passes, railcards, and offers to buy bicycles. Further information: Smart Go Stevenage.
2027
Cycle to Work Scheme implementation
The Council provides a bicycle salary sacrifice scheme, provided by the Green Commute Initiative. This enables staff to get a voucher for a bicycle or e-bike, and accessories, for up to £3,600, spreading payments over up to 36 monthly salary deductions from their gross pay.

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 commuting.
05/01/2024
Conduct a staff survey to assess commuting baseline
Assess the current scenario of SBC staff travel for council business and commuting via a newly updated Staff Travel Survey. The survey results will demonstrate how often officers travel on 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 staff commuting frequency and modes of transport. Altogether, the results will input analyses for updating SBC current incentives for sustainable travel.
31/12/2019
Produce and implement 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. An initial staff survey revealed that over three quarters used a car to get to work. As the majority of staff do not live far from the office there is considerable scope for an increase particularly in the proportion of people walking and cycling. 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.

TR2Incentives for Council's staff sustainable commuting

Progress

Tasks

What are we doing?

Setup a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group

Smart Go Stevenage membership

Cycle to Work Scheme implementation

What has been done?

Produce and communicate a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff

Conduct a staff survey to assess commuting baseline

Produce and implement a Workplace Travel Plan 2020-2025

Related actions

Timeline

Responsible organisations

Portfolio Holder

Strategic Themes

Engagement type

Progress

Lead paragraph

Description

Tasks

What are we doing?

Setup a Sustainable Travel Climate Champions working group

Smart Go Stevenage membership

Cycle to Work Scheme implementation

What has been done?

Produce and communicate a Sustainable Travel Induction Pack for staff

Conduct a staff survey to assess commuting baseline

Produce and implement a Workplace Travel Plan 2020-2025

Related actions

Summary and contacts

Timeline

Responsible organisations

Portfolio Holder

Strategic Themes

Engagement type