A money-saving proposition to share fuel facilities in the East Riding has been agreed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Humberside Police.
Under the new agreement, both parties, who have various operational vehicles in their fleets, including patrol cars, waste collection vehicles and gritters, will be able to make use of each other’s fuel facilities, reducing the need to use commercial forecourts.
The deal has a number of benefits, with both parties accessing a cheaper rate of fuel at one another’s sites and police vehicles will be able to refuel at council sites if they are away from their operational base.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is an excellent initiative by the council and Humberside Police and is a good example of how two public services can work more closely together during these uncertain economic times.
“Not only will this agreement save money, it will also improve the operational efficiencies of our respective fleets, enabling them to do what they do best, serving the residents of the East Riding.”
Phil Goatley, assistant chief officer at Humberside Police, said: “As a response to the financial challenges which local public bodies are facing, we continue to explore, together, opportunities to make savings particularly in those areas which allow us to protect frontline services to the public.
“On 1 February 2013 Humberside Police and East Riding of Yorkshire Council signed an agreement which enables both organisations to share each other’s vehicle fuel supplies. This will mean that 39 police vehicles will have access to council facilities in the East Riding as their primary fuel source and a further 43 police vehicles will be able to use the facilities as a contingency supply when away from their main operational base.
“The joint agreement will save the force an estimated £124,000 to provide four additional diesel fuel facilities across the East Riding of Yorkshire and a site maintenance cost of around £4000. In addition, we estimate that we would save, based on the current difference in price between what the council fuel will cost and local garage prices, £4,000 per annum on the cost of fuel used.
“This is something that is starting in the East Riding; however the force expects to sign a similar agreement with North Lincolnshire Council by the middle of March 2013.”
Paul Robinson, deputy police and crime commissioner, who is working to develop partnership opportunities, said: “Encouraging this type of collaboration is one of the main priorities in my role. It is about the police, local authorities, the health service and the other emergency services working together to make us more efficient. We all need to deliver a good service at a time of reducing central funding.”