Fleet News Awards 2010: Fleet of the Year

Bracknell Forest Council has been named Fleet of the Year in the 51-250 vehicles category

Grey fleet has been one of Damian James’s preoccupations over the past couple of years.
The head of transport provision at Bracknell Forest Borough Council has been reviewing mileage expenses and parking charges and is submitting a report on improving management of the grey fleet.

James has also tightened up the cash allowance scheme, moving some essential users into casual users. The council has acquired three pool cars and set up short-term vehicle hire after a review on travel expenses. It’s all part of the focus on costs and efficiency.
“We are more accountable because it’s the public’s money we are spending,” says James.

The majority of his time is spent on transport management, which includes responsibility for overseeing the outsourced contract for transporting 1,000 children to and from school every day. He spends just 20% of his time on fleet management activities.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has invested in putting 20 drivers through SAFED training, achieving an average 14% improvement in fuel efficiency. It has also helped to lower the accident rate.

James ensures the council is at the cutting edge of vehicle telematics and tracking. He has introduced dynamic vehicle scheduling software and is keeping a close eye on real-time vehicle scheduling and mapping.

Judges’ comments
This fleet, headed by Damian James, has made some very tough and difficult decisions in order to achieve its savings. Damian has taken a truly strategic view of fleet management with clear, credible and measurable outcomes.

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