http://harinet.haringey.gov.uk/intranet/personnel/payandconditions/stafftravelplan.htm
Watch this space for internal staff news about the travel plan. This is an intranet site only available to people logged on to the council computer system.
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Cycle to work scheme - possible pitfall
This is from the Q&A page of Cycle (CTC magazine) Feb/Mar 2008 issue. Despite the fact that plenty of employers operate the cycle to work scheme, there is a risk that some will override this fact with what they see as problems; problems explained (and solved) here:
"After two years of deliberation my employer has chosen not to implement the Cycle to Work scheme (which was described in the Feb-Mar 07 issue of Cycle), mainly on two grounds.
First, since the employer is technically the owner of the cycle for the first year, the company has a duty of care to keep it maintained and would be liable for any accident caused by poor maintenance.
Second, if the employer cannot prove that the employee is continuing to use the bike mainly for 'qualifying journeys' (i.e. commuting) then HM Revenue and Customs can reclaim saved tax from both parties, and impose penalties. My employer claims there have been instances of companies falling foul of both these risks.
What is your view on these two points, and are you aware of any cases such as those claimed?"
Reply (edited):
"I cannot see that any employee would have any realistic chance of pursuing a claim against an employer in such circumstances [as the first grounds your employer gave]. Whilst technically the employer is the owner of the bike, the reality is that the employee has custody and position [sic - possession] of the bicycle and will be responsible for any maintenance issues. I do not see this as a valid objection.
With regards to the second objection, Mr Harrison's employers should be aware that many organisations are now providing assistance to their employees through the Cycle to Work schemes. I am unaware of any HM Revenue & Customs investigations into any alleged abuse of the schemes. The Government is committed to increasing the number of journeys made by bicycle in the UK. In practical terms there would be enormous difficulties proving that the employee had not been using the bike for qualifying journeys.
Unfortunately, the Cycle to Work scheme cannot be imposed upon employers. However, in my experience the majority of businesses are willing to participate in Cycle to Work schemes. This is an easy way to provide an additional fringe benefit to their workforce.
Paul Kitson"
"After two years of deliberation my employer has chosen not to implement the Cycle to Work scheme (which was described in the Feb-Mar 07 issue of Cycle), mainly on two grounds.
First, since the employer is technically the owner of the cycle for the first year, the company has a duty of care to keep it maintained and would be liable for any accident caused by poor maintenance.
Second, if the employer cannot prove that the employee is continuing to use the bike mainly for 'qualifying journeys' (i.e. commuting) then HM Revenue and Customs can reclaim saved tax from both parties, and impose penalties. My employer claims there have been instances of companies falling foul of both these risks.
What is your view on these two points, and are you aware of any cases such as those claimed?"
Reply (edited):
"I cannot see that any employee would have any realistic chance of pursuing a claim against an employer in such circumstances [as the first grounds your employer gave]. Whilst technically the employer is the owner of the bike, the reality is that the employee has custody and position [sic - possession] of the bicycle and will be responsible for any maintenance issues. I do not see this as a valid objection.
With regards to the second objection, Mr Harrison's employers should be aware that many organisations are now providing assistance to their employees through the Cycle to Work schemes. I am unaware of any HM Revenue & Customs investigations into any alleged abuse of the schemes. The Government is committed to increasing the number of journeys made by bicycle in the UK. In practical terms there would be enormous difficulties proving that the employee had not been using the bike for qualifying journeys.
Unfortunately, the Cycle to Work scheme cannot be imposed upon employers. However, in my experience the majority of businesses are willing to participate in Cycle to Work schemes. This is an easy way to provide an additional fringe benefit to their workforce.
Paul Kitson"
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Travel Plan Performance Indicator
I have been wondering about a performance indicator (PI) for travel plans. I think what might work is.
Distance travelled BY motor vehicles (except scheduled buses) to, from or for work / Number of full-time equivalent employees.
This avoids having a PI for public transport and a PI for cycling and a PI for walking, and a PI fpr working from home, etc.
Note that this is the distance travelled by motor vehicles, not people. That way if car sharing goes up, the PI value goes down. This should work for the whole council and any office or department.
It would be better to use fuel consumption, or better still CO2 emmissions, but distance travelled is easier to measure.
Distance travelled BY motor vehicles (except scheduled buses) to, from or for work / Number of full-time equivalent employees.
This avoids having a PI for public transport and a PI for cycling and a PI for walking, and a PI fpr working from home, etc.
Note that this is the distance travelled by motor vehicles, not people. That way if car sharing goes up, the PI value goes down. This should work for the whole council and any office or department.
It would be better to use fuel consumption, or better still CO2 emmissions, but distance travelled is easier to measure.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Haringey Council's Travel Plan
This (to be clear) is the council's travel plan for the council itself (ie not the borough).
It is written and to be considered for approval by members around July 2007. It contains numerous recommendations, including participation in the bike2work salary sacrifice scheme, pool bikes, a review of allowances and support for the BUG. Away from cycling, it also recommends various measures for reducing the need to travel, and for encouraging public transport use - in summary, many things to reduce car use - more exactly the effects of car use.
It is written and to be considered for approval by members around July 2007. It contains numerous recommendations, including participation in the bike2work salary sacrifice scheme, pool bikes, a review of allowances and support for the BUG. Away from cycling, it also recommends various measures for reducing the need to travel, and for encouraging public transport use - in summary, many things to reduce car use - more exactly the effects of car use.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Cycle to Work Scheme / Ride to Work Scheme
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Information.aspx?TranslationLargeID=34
Chain Reaction Cycles have joined the Cycle to Work Scheme, calling it "Ride to work" (possibly by mistake)
General details of the scheme and facilitators here
http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/19878/Buy-your-bike-free-of-tax
Chain Reaction Cycles have joined the Cycle to Work Scheme, calling it "Ride to work" (possibly by mistake)
General details of the scheme and facilitators here
http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/news/19878/Buy-your-bike-free-of-tax
Thursday, 7 June 2007
National Liftshare Day - Thu 14 June 2007
http://www.liftshare.org/nlsd.asp
A chance for all those car driving, non cycling colleagues to do their bit
A chance for all those car driving, non cycling colleagues to do their bit
Bikely
www.bikely.com
This is a system for sharing bike routes with others. You can record your routes by mousing points onto an on line map, or you can upload data from a GPS unit (.gpx format).
I tried out the mouse-map combination and found it pretty easy to use.
This is a system for sharing bike routes with others. You can record your routes by mousing points onto an on line map, or you can upload data from a GPS unit (.gpx format).
I tried out the mouse-map combination and found it pretty easy to use.
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