Request
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to make the following request under Freedom of Information. If you don't deal with FOI requests, please pass this on to whoever does.
Please provide a list of any company cars currently being provided through car leasing schemes to your employees. Please include the make of each car, the model, the staff member who is leasing the car and/or their position. Please also provide details of the terms of any car leasing agreements.
Don't hestitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Our Response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of company cars being provided through car leasing schemes to NHS East Midlands employees.
I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do hold the information that you have requested which can be found in the pdf attachments. I have also included a copy of NHS East Midlands’ Lease Car Policy. Although this is the current policy in use, it is currently under review.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that use of a lease car, if appropriate, is usually agreed as part of the remuneration package at the commencement of employment with NHS East Midlands, or when an employee is appointed to a different post within the organisation.
NHS East Midlands does not give consideration to employees travelling an average of less than 1,000 business miles in any one year in terms of Lease Car provision. It is also the case that any car chosen must be suitable for the employee to carry out official duties and this is subject to agreement by NHS East Midlands.
NHS East Midlands’ contribution, calculated on the base vehicle, is fixed for a three year period. However, changes in VAT, Insurance, Road Fund Tax and other legislative provisions might result in that contribution changing as might variations in previously agreed mileage.
In return for private use of the car, employees are subject to an annual charge on a monthly basis through deduction from their salary. Employees will also be required to have the vehicle at their disposal for official business whenever required whilst participating in the scheme
As is usually the case, employees pay for all fuel and other fluids required outside normal repairs and servicing, but will be reimbursed in respect of petrol for official mileage.
It should be noted that the provision by NHS East Midlands of a lease car which can be used for both business and private mileage is assessed for income tax purposes as a benefit in kind. The assessments are now based on the list price of the vehicle (including any extras) at the time of first registration of the vehicle. Members of staff are therefore responsible for payments of income tax and are advised to seek advice from their local Tax Office on the income tax implications of a lease car.
I hope that this information is of use. If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-
Mr Kevin Orford
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG
If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-
The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
