Cyclescheme is a great scheme which has government approval and which enables employers to encourage people to cycle to work by allowing them to purchase cycles through this scheme and thus get a good tax break on the deal. Several companies operate the scheme but in my view the best is the Bath based Cyclescheme Co.
Last autumn I started talking to Personnel about this. On Oct 11 I submitted the following statement to Council. And still all these months later despite everyone saying they agree it is a good idea, the outsourced payroll company willing to sponsor the cost of implementing it onto payroll, staff support etc, we still do not have it agreed.
Conservative administrations certainly now how to slow down any progressive ideas!!!
Statement from Councillor Crossley to Council on CycleScheme
Council I would like to bring to your attention the benefits of this Council joining CYCLESCHEME.
Cycvle schem is a salary sacrifice scheme propmoted by Government.
It enables employees to get good quality bikes at large discounts and encourages a modal shift in transport.
Cycling improves health, reduces congestion and therefore improves air quality.
Better facilities for cyclists improve the overall safety of the network making it safer for all.
The main provider of this government approved scheme is actually the Bath based company called Cyclescheme but other firms operate a similar product such as Halfords.
Cyclescheme provide this service to Councils up and down the country and a number of companies up and down the country.
Cyclescheme works with a large range of local cycle shops across the region where our staff live as opposed to a single company scheme such as Halfords which operate from there own shops. The Council joins a scheme operator.
A loan is provided which enables the employee to buy a new bike and get properly equiped to cycle. This loan is then repaid over a period of time from the employees pre tax salary. So the Council also saves on NI contributions.
It is easy to implement and operate and has very little paperwork.
Indeed Coventry Council have this week just established with Government that elected Councillors are also eligeable to join a scheme.
This idea has been raised before within Council by myself and Cllr Symonds but was not progressed because of pension concerns.
The loss of pension is minimal, taken voluntarily and because the employee gains to improve their health will also extend the time and quality of retirement meaning they will probably get more pension paid.
Since I started this work I have had several staff approach me and urged that the Council shoul adopt the scheme. Now that it is also available to Councillors I hope you will all support me and encourage our Personnel Section to offer this facility to our staff and us.