2021

TVM0316 – Mercedes Econic Handbrake issues? – 301221

A member authority has purchased several new RCVs on Mercedes Benz Econic Euro 6 NLA High cab 6x2 rear steer axle chassis.

They have had several reports from drivers engaging the handbrake and then it not holding/releasing.

• Have you had a similar issue and if so have you managed to resolve it?

---

TVM0315 – Staff commuting incentives – 211221

A member authority is developing their staff transport policy

They wish to encourage and incentivise staff to choose low carbon and active travel options over the car when commuting to work

• Do you have such a policy you can share?
• Do you incentivise low carbon transport and if so how?
• Alternatively, do you actively discourage the use of petrol/diesel vehicles?

---

TVM0314 – Buy out of Tool-Allowance for In-House Mechanics – 291121

A member authority is seeking to remove the tool-allowance presently being paid to their in-house Mechanics.

(The Mechanics current supply their own tools. The proposal is to stop the tool allowance and buy back the tool- kits/cabinets from each Mechanic).

Please can you provide information on the following:

1. Do you currently provide all tools for your in-house Mechanics or do you have a tool-allowance to allow mechanics to replenish their tool-kits as needed?
2. Have you undertaken such a tool-kit buy-out exercise?
   • If so, did you buy back the tool kits from each Mechanic or provide the Mechanic with a completely new tool-chest?
   • If the buy-back option was exercised was the value based upon the contents of a standard tool-kit or based upon the contents of each individual Mechanics tool kit?
   • For a buy back how was the tool Kit value determined?
3. Are there other factors that should be considered before embarking on a buy-back of existing tool kits?
4. Do you operate an alternative method to provide tools for their mechanics?

---

TVM0312 - Traffic management for first matches - 081121

A member authority has a contract with their city football club that is coming to an end. The contract is to provide traffic management for first-team matches (and certain events) to allow safe passage of the spectators across the road.

They would like to know for the authorities that have major football stadiums within your network, could you please advise of the arrangements you have with the football clubs in terms of traffic & crowd management?

Do you get involved in the arrangements or does your local police service use its powers to control the crowds?

---

TVM0310 – Integrated transport service (Schools & Adult) – 271021

A member authority is reviewing its integrated transport service (children's statutory home to school transport and adult day care services transport provision)

Please could you assist in answering the following:

• Is your integrated transport service operated in house, outsourced or a mix of both?
• If in-house, does the operational transport delivery element and the application/ appeals element sit together or separately as departments?
• Please share structure charts for these services if available
• If you employ drivers and passenger assistants, what is your structure for ensuring absence can be covered?
• If you employ Passenger Assistants, do they undertake clinical duties as part of their role?
• If yes would you be prepared to share the job description?

---

TVM0309 - Driver licence regulation for minibuses - 141021

A member authority has an in-house fleet primarily deployed on SEN (Special Educational Needs) and Adult Social Care client transport. Currently, they are relying on the Section 19 derogation though it is now questionable whether paid Council drivers can continue to drive under this.

In particular, the member authority is faced with training drivers who passed their driving test post-1997 to the D1E standard. However, post-1997 drivers on a category B licence may drive minibuses up to 16 passenger seats provided the weight of the vehicle does not exceed 3.5 tonnes (excluding accessibility equipment) and the nature of the trip is not deemed as Hire & Reward. Added to that there is the issue of those drivers who passed their driving test pre-1997 where many will have the D1 (101) category. The 101 code means minibuses up to 16 passenger seats may not be driven for hire & reward.

1. How do APSE members manage driver licence regulation for employees driving in the 9 to 16 passenger seat minibus category?
2. Do APSE member authorities perform this type of transport on a Section 19 basis still or are members now going down the route of operating under a formal PSV (Public Service Vehicle) Operators Licence?
3. Do member authorities require Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for drivers deployed on this type of transport.?

---

TVM0308 - Driving Licence Checking & DPIA - 071021

A member authority is looking to review their Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) on driving licence checking:

Driving licence checking will cover use for all Council vehicles and also employees using their own cars (Grey Fleet) for business travel.

The DPIA will cover checking MOT, road tax and service records for the grey fleet.

• Do you have a copy of your DPIA you can share?
• Do you receive 'live updates' using a provider that can draw information on penalty points or disqualifications from the DVLA direct and notify you when something happens?

---

A member authority is seeking to update their policies on Overloading, Speeding and Idling

Please supply the following info:

• Overloading Vehicles:
  1. Do you monitor overloading of vehicles?
  2. If so how do you monitor/record this and what actions are taken towards Drivers / Departments?
  3. Do you have a policy in place? If so could you please share a copy?
• Speeding:
  1. Do you monitor speeding of vehicles?
  2. If so how do you monitor/record this and what actions are taken towards Drivers / Departments?
  3. Do you have a policy in place? If so could you please share a copy?
• Stationary vehicles:
  1. Do you monitor idling of vehicles?
  2. If so how do you monitor/record this and what actions are taken towards Drivers / Departments?
  3. Do you have a policy in place? If so could you please share a copy?

---

TVM0306 – Use of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as Diesel substitute – 210921

A member authority is investigating the use of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a Diesel substitute.

Please can you answer the following:

• Have you used HVO in larger vehicles e.g. RCV’s?
• Have you specific experience of switching Romaquips and/or Dennis Eagle RCV’s over to HVO?
• What issues did you find switching to HVO?

---

TVM0304 – Electric compact sweepers – 130921

A member authority is seeking to replace their existing sweepers with electric ones

Please can you answer the following:

• Does your authority use battery electric compact sweepers (3.5t-4.5t GVW range)?, 
• if so which makes and models please?
• Could you please share experiences of their reliability, range, efficiency and service back up?

---

TVM0303 – HGV Fitter Apprentice Job Description – 27082

A member authority is looking to employ an HGV fitter apprentice

They are keen to learn from others on the content of the role

• Do you have a job description - please share?
• Also brief outline details of the apprenticeship programme, if available

---

TVM0302 – Vehicle Telematics Policy – 120821

A member authority is reviewing their policy on use of Telematics

• Do you use Telematics on your vehicles?
• If so please can you share a copy of your policy?

---

TVM0301 – Job descriptions for driver trainers

A member authority is looking for information on Driver Trainers and would be grateful if other member authorities could please share:- 

1. Any job descriptions 
2. Confirm the approximate salary this post attracts

---

TVM0300 - Safety systems for working at height on vehicles

This local authority is currently reviewing its systems for working at height on top of vehicles which do not have safety lines installed. In particular they would like to know:-

1. What solutions do you have in place for working at height on top of vehicles?
2. Do you have a system in place that does not require safety lines to be fitted to the garage structure? i.e. a stand-alone device.

---

TVM0299 – Dennis Eagle Twin Packs – 080721

A member authority is reviewing its vehicle options

Do your waste team operate 50/50 Dennis Eagle Twin Packs?

If so can you please share any experiences;

• Capacity / Payload with Recycling materials and what recycling materials do you collect in them?
• Reliability of the body functions?
• How they compare to other split body vehicles i.e. 70/30

---

TVM0298 – Electrical Vehicle Specification – 020721

We are seeking to collect examples of the specifications used when purchasing new Electric Vehicles
This will become increasingly important as we progress carbon reductions across the fleet

• How many electric vehicles do you currently have?
• How many are currently on order?
• What specification did you use for the vehicles?
  • If you can please share

---

TVM0297 – Taxi Licensing – 010721

A member authority is reviewing their procedures for Taxi licensing.

Please provide the following information:

1. Number of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire/Operator Licences etc
   • Please provide total number of licences granted? (all types) 2018/19, 2019/20 , 2020/21
2. Staff
   • How many FTEs undertake the Taxi Licensing function?
3. Taxi Licensing Policy
   • Have you updated your Taxi Licensing Policy to incorporate the 2020 Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards?
4. Automation
   • Are your forms/processes automated?
5. Taxi Vehicle Testing
   • How many tests on average have been taken per year over past 3 years?
   • How many of these vehicles have required re-tests?
   • Do you outsource your vehicle testing or test in house?
6. Testing
   • What training is provided by the council to drivers prior to licensing?
   • Is a test carried out after training?
   • How is this carried out?
   • Who provides the training and what does it cover?
7. DBS/DVLA Checks
   • Do you use the DBS update service?
   • Do you use an umbrella organisation for your DBS applications?

---

TVM0296 – Electric Mileage Rates – 240621

A member authority is seeking to determine the personal mileage rates for vehicles

Do you have a policy for hybrid and/or electric vehicles?

What is the mileage rate for:

• Electric Vehicle?
• Hybrid Vehicle?

---

TVM0295 – HAVS - Vehicle Technicians – 210621

A member authority is assessing the risk from Hand Arm Vibration (HAV’s) within their vehicle and plant workshop

The are interested to know:

• How do you monitor HAVS for vehicle technicians?
• What practical solutions you have implemented?
• Any published HAVS policy specific to the workshop?

---

TVM0294 – Emissions saving software – 160621

A member authority is assessing the emissions from the existing fleet.

Whilst the aspiration is to move to alternative fuelled vehicles, these are realistically unlikely to be available for some time. They are therefore seeking options during the transition

• Do you use vehicle emissions saving software / ECU reprogramming within your Fleet (i.e. to limit engine revving etc)?
• If so:
  • would you recommend fitting?
  • have you faced any issues
  • which supplier do you use?
  • have you made any savings?

---

TVM0293 – Garage Equipment – 150621

A member authority is looking to move to new workshop facilities

They are seeking advice on the garage equipment for the new facility

• Have you used consultants for required garage equipment / layout?
  • If so who?
• How did/do you determine the equipment requirement?

---

TVM0292 – Electric Vans – 140621

A member authority is exploring the use of electric vans for enforcement and environmental / streetscene officers

Please supply the following:

• What make / models of vehicles are you using?
• Are the vehicles leased or owned by the Council?
• What average mileage are you using them for in a day (without charging)?
• What is the approximate maximum mileage the vehicle will do on one full charge?
• What is the expected life of the vehicle?
• Any pros and cons experienced when using electric vehicles compared to diesel/petrol?
• What charging infrastructure have you put in place to support the vehicles?

---

TVM0291 – Shift Patterns – 110621

1. What shifts do your Operations departments operate Refuse Collection, Waste Disposal, Street Sweeping & Ground Maintenance?
2. What shift patterns are your workshops open?
3. Have you tried different shift patterns in the workshop to see what works best?

---

TVM0290 - Transport and Vehicle Maintenance: Fleet teams set up - 280521

A member authority are looking at ways other authorities have set up their fleet teams. They would like to know:

• What service area do your fleet teams sit in?
• Do you provide pool cars? If so, how is it managed?

---

TVM0290 – CMAR /HAKO/Schmidt/Nilfisk Servicing – 050521

South Tyneside Council has a Hot Wash machine which was manufactured in 2016/17 by a French company called CMAR. (see Appendix 1).

Despite the HAKO name on the builders' plate, it would appear the vehicle was manufactured by Schmidt.

They also have a small number of Nilfisk machines which are also proving problematic to service and repair.

• Do you have any similar units?

and, if so

• Who is undertaking servicing of them, both from a chassis and equipment perspective?

---

TVM0289 – Vehicle Accidents/Insurance – 280421

A member authority has been challenged by their insurers on the number of vehicle incidents over a 12 month period

They are keen to establish an average of fault and no fault incidents for local authorities

Please can you answer the following:

• How many fault and no-fault vehicle incidents are recorded in a rolling 12 months per fleet size?
• How is this recorded by fleet or Insurance?
• What fleet software if any do other members use?

---

TVM0288 - Home Charging of Council Electric Vehicles – 240321

A member authority is looking into their electric vehicles and potential charging methods. They are therefore keen to know if any other authorities have Council electric vehicles which are charged at employee homes, in particular:-

1. What charging mechanism do you use?
2. Is this metered separately?
3. How is the cost of installation covered?
4. How is the cost of energy used to cover charging paid for?

---

TVM0287A – Social Care Transport Needs

This local authority is reviewing its current process for ad hoc social care transport journeys which are normally undertaken via local taxis at a high cost. If your council has undertaken a review of its social care transport needs, could you please share information on the review and any relevant reports/documentation?

---

TVM0287 - Internal Driver Assessor – 240321

A member authority is looking into the possibility of employing a driver assessor internally. They are keen to know if any other authorities have this role in place, in particular:-

1. What is their remit, is it just for new drivers or for after incident assessment?
2. Have you noticed a decrease in your damage costs since introducing this role?
3. Would you consider sharing your processes and policy around their work and be willing to discuss this further?

---

TVM0286 – Transport Stores/Parts Contracts – 220321

A member authority is reviewing the procurement of parts for Fleet Maintenance, across several vehicle manufacturers

It is considering a contract tender exercise

• What arrangements do you have for parts procurement? (single/multiple suppliers or factors)?
• What contract terms have they incorporated to ensure cost efficiency and speed of delivery?
• Do you specify OE (Original Equipment) parts or allow equivalent Aftermarket Components?

---

TVM0285 – MOT testing - HGV & Refuse vehicles – 020321

A member authority is seeking industry-standard information related to MOT times on HGV’s.  (especially RCV’s)

• Do you allocate a standard time to undertake an MOT for:
  • HGV?
  • RCV?
• Do you undertake other services whilst the vehicle is in the maintenance depot?
• (e.g. wash, inspect, service, tyres, LOLER, repair and Quality control)
• What is the estimated number of days from receipt to dispatch of an MOT HGV/RCV?
• Do you require the vehicle to be delivered for MOT pre-washed?

---

TVM0284 – Personal Budgets for Transport – 220221

A member authority is seeking to replace contracted Adult Transport with personal budgets for each person

• Have you replaced adult Transport with personal budgets?
  • Do you have a policy that you can share?
  • What timescale did you propose for the change?
  • How did you manage the change and were there any areas of difficulty?

---

TVM0283 – Electric Minibuses – 170221

A member authority is seeking to procure Electric Minibuses for transporting children

Have you purchased electric mini-buses?

If so please can you provide the following:

• Supplier details
• Cost
• Your specification

Also, have cameras been fitted and which suppliers were used?

---

TVM0282 - Organisational structures for Roads and Transport services – 110221

A member authority is currently looking at how its Roads and Transport functions, both strategic and operational, are organised and would be interested to hear from other local authorities in regards to this.  They would be particularly interested in responses from those covering a semi-rural area.

---

TVM0281 - 7.5t vehicle for clinical waste collection – 020221

A member authority is seeking to purchase a 7.5t vehicle for the collection of clinical waste.

Have you recently purchased a similar type of vehicle?

If so:

• Do you have a vehicle specification you are willing to share?
• Who supplied the vehicle you purchased?
• Who built the body of the vehicle you purchased?
• Have you had any issues with the vehicle you purchased?
• Can you offer any lessons learnt or is there anything you would do differently if you were purchasing another vehicle?

---

TVM0280 – Public Electric Vehicle Charge Points: Policies and Specifications – 260121

A member authority is formulating its EV charging point policy for chargers for public use

• Have you developed such a policy – if so please can you share a copy
• Do you have a specification for the charge points themselves that have been bought in or leased by LAs?
• Have you opened up opportunities for 3rd parties to install and operate chargers on public land/highways?
• Have you leased land to develop community charging hubs?

---

TVM0279 – Mechanics Tool Allowance – 130121

A member authority is reviewing Tool allowances. Please can you supply the following information:

• Does your organisation pay mechanics’ tool allowance?
• Does the organisation insure mechanics’ tools against theft, loss etc? (if so, any details please)
• If not,
  • Do the mechanics insure their tools themselves?
  • Does the organisation consider the payment of tool allowance to include an expectation to self insure as part of the upkeep of those tools?

---

TVM0278 - Job Descriptions - 130121

A member authority is seeking to boost their transport service

They are seeking job description/specifications for the following roles:

1. Officer with responsibility for EV Transformation and or EV Charging Infrastructure
2. Driver Training/Assessment Officer 

Please share any descriptions/job specifications that closely match the above.