THE increasing demands on staff time and complexity of the business has led North Dorset District Council to consider outsourcing the administration of its car fleet. The authority leases all of its cars through a selection of companies with which it negotiates individual contracts to provide a tailor-made service.

However, the demands on staff have proved restrictive and the council is advertising for 'expressions of interest' from fleet management companies. The council has 48 cars for employees such as building control officers, heads of service and directors entitled to them, plus seven pool cars. The majority clock up between 3,000 and 8,000 business miles a year. Managing the fleet for the last 18 months has been Lyn Yeo who is actually the council's training officer.

She said: 'I can spend as much as 60% of my time dealing with the administration of our cars when it is not my main responsibility. Drivers' expectations are increasing and with the use of the pool cars increasing it looks as if the fleet will get bigger. It is felt that outsourcing the management would be more cost effective and economical with time.'

Cars are leased from companies such as Swan National, First National and British Car Contracts, the majority on four-year contracts.