Request
Please find below three freedom of information requests regarding vehicles leased by your strategic health authority.
1. What is the total cost of vehicles leased by your SHA for employee transportation? By 'employee' I mean any individual who receives a salary or any benefits from your SHA - i.e. including all executive and non-executive board members, along with general employees, both clinical and managerial etc.
Please include all costs for hiring the vehicle (including any relevant tax), any associated running and repair costs, and how these costs are broken down. Please provide this data for each separate year between the formation of your SHA and the most recent year for which figures are available.
2. What are the 10 most expensive car types/models of vehicle that have been used for employee transportation since your SHA was created? Please list all vehicle types that have been used, where this information is available. Please provide the type of car (i.e. Purgeot, or Nissan etc) along with what model (i.e Citreon C1 etc).
3. What is the total cost of vehicles leaded by your SHA just for executive and non-executive board members?
Please include all costs for hiring the vehicle (including any relevant tax), any associated running and repair costs, and how these costs are broken down. Please provide this data for each separate year between the formation of your SHA and the most recent year for which figures are available. I would be grateful if you could also specify the 10 most expensive car types and model that have been leased since your SHA was created.
Our response
I refer to your email requesting information in respect of lease cars.
Use of a lease car, if appropriate, is 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.
You will note from the attached Lease Car Policy that 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 is calculated on the base vehicle and fixed for a three year period. However, changes in VAT, car insurance, road fund tax and other legislative provisions might result in that contribution changing, as might variations in previously agreed mileage.
In return for 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. 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.
Our Executive Directors and Chief Executive are entitled to an employer allowance towards a lease car which is approved by the Remuneration Committee.
Please be aware that NHS East Midlands is no longer offering new lease car arrangements for staff given that the limited lifespan of the Strategic Health Authority.
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 Moosa Patel
Director of Corporate Affairs
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
