Council saves £920k on mileage claims

CHESHIRE East

Council saved more than £920,000 on staff mileage claims in the 2020/21 financial year because of the pandemic.

Figures released by the council in a report to the corporate policy committee reveal mileage claimed by staff in the 2020 calendar year was down 41 per cent compared to 2019, with over 1.2m fewer miles being claimed.

The report says: “Actual mileage payments to both regular and casual users across the council were 53 per cent down in 2020/21 compared with 2019/20, this equated to approximately £927k less being paid for mileage claims in the last financial year.”

The council is now looking to review ways of working to reduce the need to travel and so cut costs and also contribute to its aims to be carbon neutral by 2025.

The report states: “In line with the Covid restrictions and requirements from March 2020, those staff who are able to work from home have been encouraged to do so.

“Whilst these arrangements are not permanent, they have provided an opportunity to review ways of working and have dramatically reduced the need to travel and therefore costs.

“Senior officers have committed to permanently reduce business mileage across the council by 30 per cent which could result in a staff travel budget saving of £428k from 2021/22.”

The council believes that, subject to consultation and agreement with staff and trade unions, further savings could be made in relation to travel and mileage and by 2024 costs could be cut by more than £750k.

It is hoped formal consultation with trade unions over changes to a range of terms and conditions of employment can soon begin.