FIRST National Vehicle Contracts has won the largest contract in its history - a £15 million solus contract hire, leasing and fleet management deal with the Central Buying Consortium. The Bury-based company, part of the Abbey National Group, will supply 3,000 lease cars to seven local authorities over three years with a two-year extension option.

The CBC is a consortium of 17 local authorities which act jointly to establish professionally constructed contracts with suppliers for the purpose of major purchasing requirements relating to a wide range of goods and services. The participating members can review each contract on an individual basis for suitability and have the option to proceed or decline involvement.

The local authorities which have signed up the car scheme include Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, West Sussex and Sussex county councils and councils covering both Coventry and Northampton. In addition to the master contract with CBC, the company has confirmed individual service level agreements for each of the participants which cover the detailed operation and management of their schemes.