“I can't see any justification for expecting the long-term, cut-price use an employee's personal vehicle for business travel.

Call their bluff and go with the car pool and then demonstrate how much more it costs the tax-payer.

Alternatively, do what I used to do for long journeys where the train wasn't an option: refuse to use your own car and force the council to hire one. Their hire rates are very reasonable!”

“Don't hold your breath waiting.”

“Would any of you narrow minded idiots do part of your job and not get paid for it, NO I assume. The council are not expecting workers to use public transport etc but they are expecting staff providing vital care services, often long distances away to still use their own vehicles without appropriate payment. I wish the idiots of Derby would get their facts right before knocking hard working stressed staff.”

“It is nice to see how valued the council workers are!!! These are people who work very hard for not a lot of money, to keep this city running. These are the social workers who look after our elderly and disabled, our children in need. These are the people who keep the streets clean, who sort out environmental health issues. The people who empty our bins, who ensure the street lights work, monitor CCTV, run the community safety initiatives, the housing visitors, the wardens. The list is endless. Without them our City would simply not be.
While I appreciate we are in a time of economic decline, and job losses, I can also see the good that so many people who work for the council do. There seems to be a lot of comparison between the council and the private sector. As someone who has worked in both, I can assure you that life in the private sector is a lot nicer than the public sector. In the private sector I had new equipment, a decent clean air conditioned office, a works mobile phone, a salary that reflected the hours and job that I did, and numerous other comforts that I didn¿t get working for the council. I didn't work for the council for perks. I worked more hours than I was paid for, and drove more miles than I was remunerated for, and sat at an old desk in a building that was not fit for purpose, I used my own mobile phone and didn¿t claim back for the calls because I cared about the job I did. I cared about the people of Derby and I cared about doing the best I could for them.
I agree that the car user allowance needs to be reviewed. I agree there are people getting it who don't do the mileage to warrant it. I agree that savings can be made. This does not have to mean a blanket removal of terms and conditions. A review would have been a good starting point. How about providing pool cars or council vehicles for home care aids to go from house to house and complete personal care tasks, or for social workers to go and do their assessments and visits, or for mobile wardens to do their rounds? Because it is not cost effective or practical! Instead the council expect people to use their own vehicles to carry out journeys which are council business. The HMRC rate of 40p a mile has not been reviewed since 2002, and as such does not reflect the current price of petrol. The cheapest locally being 118p per litre for unleaded. So that 40p a mile is expected to cover the petrol bill, and wear and tear and maintenance and car tax and MOT and insurance, which incidentally has to be business use. But it is okay, because council workers are greedy and should be grateful for their jobs.

Well I say, thank you council staff! You are the back bone of the city and do an amazing job.”

“y so many haters of council staff, they work to help the vulnerable and provide much needed services, often paid less than those in private industry. we all face cutbacks its not easy 4 any1”

“Get on with your jobs - while you have them. Better to lose a little from your expenses than have to cut your hours.

Like the previous contributors I have no sympathy whatsoever - if you want any try the dictionary, you might find it in there.”

“Be satisfied with the 40p a mile.”

“I worked for a different Council and looked into car allowances whilst I was there. At that Council, many of the people who get this allowance don't do the mileage to justify essential user rather than casual user status. Some never even left the building during the course of a working day.
Essential user status was abused as it was a hangover from previous roles or a manager was using it as a pay increase to keep someone sweet. Many of those not entitled were the senior managers and directors so I was told it couldn't be touched. Would have saved a fortune to change it.
Was the same for telephone allowances - they got hand helds and mobiles but were paid an allowance for having a land line.
Go for it Derby City - you are absolutely right to do this.”

“I am a carer for a disabled relative at the princely sum of £1.57 per hour. I'm allowed a part time job which pays £65 before tax per week. The bus fare per week is £14. More than 20 per cent. If the council staff were paid,for example, £20,000 per annum and had to pay out £1000 per annum from their own pay, I'd be sympathetic. However,since it is an allowance on top of their salary, I do not. We all have to travel.”

“RM Spondon
Alot of private companies, my employer included refuse to acknowledge Unions, therefore being a paid up member is irrelivent and not an option as they have no power to influence anything”