Every year, we carry out a major industry survey among fleet operators to ask about the issues that they feel are the most important areas of concern.

 

Their answers are used to create the six subjects for the Fleet News Hit for Six North and South Conferences, which take place on September 16 in Oxford and September 30 in Bradford.

This year’s survey has revealed that managing drivers who cover business mileage in private cars will be one of their biggest challenges this year.

General risk management issues remain a key concern and will also be covered in the conference.

Among the other key issues fleets highlighted during the survey were green fleet management, running costs and effective tendering.

For details of the event and enquiries regarding tickets, sponsorship and stands, please contact Madaline Collins on 01733 468468171 or email madaline.collins@bauerconsumer.co.uk.

Alternatively, visit the website at www.hitforsixconference.co.uk.

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  • SYNOPSIS

MINISTERIAL Q&A – if there is time this will be included in the timetable

RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk management is still one of the biggest issues facing fleet operators as they try to cope with the demands of meeting an ever-increasing number of laws and the need to keep their drivers safe on the road.

Risk management overview:
This session will provide an overview of the risk management essentials that fleets of all sizes need to include. It will also examine whether small fleets should adopt a different risk management approach to large fleets or whether every company must adhere to the same strict standards when it comes to employee safety on the road.

Dealing with a death - how your fleet could be affected:
The Road Death Investigation Manual is a document used by the police when they are investigating a fatality and it makes chilling reading because of the potential disruption it could cause any business. In this session a leading police expert on the issue provides details on the newly updated guidance and helps fleets ensure they are protected.

GREY FLEET MANAGEMENT
Most fleets in the country have some form of grey fleet, where drivers cover business mileage in private vehicles. The Government has already stated clearly that these vehicles are the responsibility of the employer while they are being used on business. This in turn has led companies to review their approach to grey fleet. So what are the best ways to manage grey fleet drivers and can a company safely allow drivers to use their own vehicles? This section of the conference looks at the choices facing employers.

Best practice in grey fleet management:
This session will provide guidance for fleets on how they should be managing employees travelling on business mileage in private cars. This includes issues such as licence and vehicle inspections, document checks and insurance issues. It will also provide guidance on the issues that fleets might face when they have drivers covering business mileage in private cars.

The grey fleet alternative – the virtual pool car fleet:
The pool car fleet used to be the cornerstone of any fleet operation, providing vehicles available for staff use at any time of day or night. But not only were they not cost effective, they could also fall into such a state of disrepair that they became a danger to drivers. This session looks at an alternative to the traditional pool car that is growing in popularity with businesses throughout the country.

GREEN FLEET MANAGEMENT
In this practical session, fleets that have taken the green message to heart and introduced green fleet policies speak about the impact of their work and the challenges they faced in introducing new policies. The presentations will look at the issue from the point of view of a large fleet operator and a small fleet operator to show that the challenges can be overcome by any business and that the benefits are well worth the effort of introducing change.

Running a green fleet – large fleet case study:
In this case study, a company which operates a large fleet will provide an overview of its green fleet policy, from creation to implementation. It will look at the role of management in creating a sustainable policy, the importance of driver support and other issues ranging from vehicle choice to alternative transport provision and ‘meeting without moving’ alternatives.

Running a green fleet – small fleet case study:
In this case study, a company which operates a small fleet will provide an overview of its green fleet policy, from creation to implementation. It will look at the role of management in creating a sustainable policy, the importance of driver support and other issues ranging from vehicle choice to alternative transport provision and ‘meeting without moving’ alternatives.
 

EFFECTIVE PURCHASING POLICIES
How you acquire your fleet, the suppliers you use and the vehicles you put on your choice list are critical issues for any fleet decision-maker. With companies under pressure to keep costs to a minimum, tackle rising fuel costs and ensure drivers are safe on the road, creating the right choice list is a difficult challenge. This section of the conference will look at best practice when choosing any supplier, using effective tendering and how to choose the right vehicles for your choice list.

Effective tendering for a better fleet:
This session will examine how a fleet can ensure that it chooses the best supplier for the job and ensures their chosen company retains its expected standards throughout the length of its contract. This session will include expert advice on creating a tender and running a tender to ensure that companies make the right choices every time when choosing suppliers ranging from manufacturers to leasing companies and rental providers.

Using wholelife costs to create a cost-effective fleet policy:
Wholelife costs are about much more than just keeping depreciation in check. To really compare cars and see which ones are the most cost effective, it is vital for fleet operators to consider options ranging from fuel costs to the hidden tax bills paid for by the employer and the driver.

DRIVER MANAGEMENT
The driver can be the fleet manager’s biggest problem when trying to create an efficient and effective fleet. This section will look at some of the issues that need to be considered, from vehicle choice through to tackling a growing social problem that the industry is only just recognising – drug driving.

Safe vehicles – using EuroNCAP ratings to influence staff choice:
Employees may cause most of your accidents, but raising awareness about safety can make all the difference. This session will look at the key area of the European New Car Assessment Programme, along with whiplash tests and other safety messages, that can be used to influence driver choice to ensure they opt for the safest vehicles.

Drug and alcohol policies:
The use of drugs in the workplace has increased significantly in recent years and now employers need to be certain they are taking the threat seriously. By introducing an open drink and drugs policy based on support and help, but backed by a very strong management line on breaking the law, a fleet can ensure its drivers are fit for the road every time they get behind the wheel.

FUTURE CHOICES
What does the future hold for fleet operators? This section of the conference will look at two areas where the potential changes are most significant, with both linked closely to the areas that has the biggest potential to radically alter the fleet market – taxation.

Taxation and its impact on future car choices:
Over the next year, fleets can expect seismic changes to impact their operations following a series of major Government announcements. This covers everything from fuel price rises to the impact of major changes announced for capital allowances that were revealed this year. Fleets need to act now to ensure they are ready to make the most of the changes ahead, which could bring major financial gains if they make the right decisions.

The role of ECO Schemes in an effective vehicle policy:
With the Government providing more certainty about the future of ECO schemes, could now be the time for fleets to investigate the potential benefits of this form of funding? We examine the key issues related to ECO schemes and the areas fleet decision-makers need to consider before they take the plunge. This section will include a fleet case study and a supplier’s point of view.