Cumberland is one of two unitary authorities that replaced Cumbria County Council and six districts last April.

Because the approach to fleet management differed at the county council and three districts that Cumberland replaced, it has inherited a mix of owned, leased and hired vehicles, as well as vehicles that are ‘well overdue’ a replacement.

The Cumbrian authority now aims to establish a ‘single corporate approach’ to managing the diverse fleet.

The strategy aims to cut costs through fleet reductions and reduce carbon emissions and fuel use.

It is accompanied by a green fleet action plan and green fleet challenge, which will mean a ‘robust test’ is applied when new vehicles are considered to make sure there is a ‘genuine’ need.

The council said it would explore opportunities for fleet reduction, re-allocation or sharing before replacing vehicles or buying new ones.

It also said it would establish an ‘electric-by-default’ approach for vehicles up to 3.5t – unless there are operational, service delivery or financial reasons for not going electric.

The proposed strategy will now be referred to the council's business and resources overview and scrutiny committee for consideration.

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