The Wales Audit Office has launched a new guide to help Welsh public sector organisations get the most from their fleets.

Each year, £200 million is spent on managing the 16,000 vehicles used by the public sector in Wales.

The Good Practice Exchange - Fleet Management is a web-based tool at www.wao.gov.uk/fleetmanagement.asp for those involved in any aspect of fleet management.

It offers guidance on fleet strategy, and the procurement, maintenance, running and disposal of vehicles.

Tips include how to minimise additional fuel costs. Over £33 million is spent each year on fuel by Welsh public sector organisations.

The guide recommends tighter controls and monitoring of fuel usage.

Opportunities have been identified to increase fuel efficiency through the introduction of fuel management programmes which include driver training in fuel efficient techniques and monitoring of fuel efficiency.

“It has always been important to get value for money from public service vehicle fleets,” said the auditor general for Wales, Jeremy Colman.

“With fuel costs at their present levels our fleet management guide should be an essential tool”.

The guide was developed following audit work at 50 sites, including local authorities, emergency services and NHS trusts.

Examples of good practice found are included in the guide and disseminated via the good practice exchange website.

It was also communicated at a series of shared learning seminars involving fleet and transport managers from a variety of public sector organisations, which were held throughout Wales earlier this year.