Officials at ACFO studied the Spending Review speech with interest to identify changes and cuts likely to affect fleet operators - particularly its members operating within the public sector.

Stewart Whyte, director of ACFO said: "The challenges facing the entire public sector and employers' groups across the spectrum are highly significant as they seek to cut costs.

"For fleet operations, the Spending Review has outlined that the Government is looking to cut spending on travel policies by £100 million a year through the implementation of standard guidance.

"ACFO can provide a framework to help Government departments, local authorities, NHS Trusts and other public sector organisations to implement best practice. We have already produced documents illustrating best practice in several areas of fleet management. These apply to both public and private sector fleets.

"Changes to travel policies embracing vehicle use, improved journey planning, changes to vehicle selection criteria, fuel use monitoring, risk management, employee mileage claims etc. can be made constructively to ensure support from staff.

"ACFO is aware of a number of public sector organisations that have already made significant changes in their fleet and travel policies in at least some key areas of operation.

"Significant financial savings can be made relatively quickly and easily without impacting on the efficiency and effectiveness of organisations and the work that they undertake.

"By joining ACFO, public sector organisations will quickly reap the benefits of their £170 a year membership."

Earlier this month experienced public sector fleet chief Damian James joined the ACFO board.

Mr James, head of transport provision at Bracknell Forest Council, also sits on the fleet strategy team established by the Office of Government Commerce, an independent office of HM Treasury, to promote best practice in public sector transport procurement.

He said: "My public sector experience will be invaluable. ACFO is much more than a company car organisation; it is also a van and ‘grey' fleet organisation.

"Commercial vehicles and ‘grey' fleet have a huge role in the public sector and I would like to encourage more transport managers within the public sector to join ACFO.

"The ongoing impact of the recession means the public sector is under huge financial pressure. ACFO has a major role to play in helping public sector transport managers better understand vehicle efficiency and specifically in reducing ‘grey' fleet use and mileage, which is a huge cost."

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