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Role of Local authorities in the development of car clubs
Local Authorities across the country are supporting the
development of car clubs as they recognise their potential to tackle
issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, parking and social
exclusion. Financial, practical, political and legislative support
from a Local Authority can be key to the success of a club.
Co-operation between Council departments working in partnership with
local communities, public transport operators, employers and housing
developers will increase the chance of success.
Car clubs offer members access to cars without the need for ownership, thus reducing dependency on the car. They are at their most effective when they are part of a package of measures; integration with other Council initiatives can be mutually beneficial, and give access to further funding streams. Such initiatives include:
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Financial support
While car clubs are designed to be self-financing (except perhaps where they are tackling social exclusion issues), they need seed funding in the initial period. Local Authorities may be able to provide funding
from Council budgets such as LTP, LA21 or core funding
through Section 106 Agreements with developers (see Good Practice Guide)
through access to central government funding such as RTP, Bus Challenge and SRB
through access to European funding streams such as Objective 1 & 2, or specific transport related projects such as Moses, Target and Vivaldi2
In addition, Local Authority funding can give a project credibility which could release funding from other sources. Local Authority know-how could also alert community groups to funding that they could apply for on their own account.
Practical support
Local Authorities have a practical role to play in the development of car clubs. One key role is assistance in the provision of car parking. This could be through processing Traffic Restriction Orders (TROs) to provide legally enforceable, marked on-street parking bays, or by negotiating for off-street bays in car parks, workplaces, transport hubs or new developments. Car club vehicles could be allocated permits in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and priority bays in Home Zones. Carplus has produced a Car club on-street parking guide.
Local Authorities can also provide practical support by joining the club as a corporate member, using car club vehicles as pool cars during office hours. Provision of parking bays on Council premises would be an added benefit.
Leased cars and insurance are available through Carplus, but some Councils have provided practical help through the provision of vehicles through their existing leasing agreements, with insurance as an extension of the Council policy. In some instances, this has led more inclusive insurance criteria.
Legislative support
Inclusion of car clubs in both local and regional policy documents gives a legal footing to the club, increases the chances of committing financial support and encourages expansion of the club into new areas. Typical policies include:
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Partnerships
Strategic partnerships can give access to a range of resources and ensure that a club will meet a wide range of needs. The Authority can help by working across departments within the authority, as well by helping to establish external partnerships both through existing contacts and by adding credibility to the project. Potential partners are
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Further Information
Section 2.2 - Get your Local Authority on board; includes an extract from Bristol City Council's Local Transport Plan
Section 3.7 Solving the Parking Problem; includes Appendix A: Traffic Regulation Orders
A Good Practice Guide for Planners and Developers: Achieving Low Car Housing: the role of car clubs
Motorists' Forum Supplementary Report 2 The Role of Local Authorities and Public Transport Operators in Successful Car Clubs June 2002
Car
club on-street parking - a best practice guide for London boroughs
(also relevant to other local authorities) (pdf 590KB)
Case Studies
Bristol CityCarClub was instigated by a local community group, but the City Council were quick to see its potential to enhance their integrated transport policy. They have made a commitment in their Local Transport Plan to support the expansion of the car club across the city, taking over key roles in the development of the club. These include letting a contract to the car club operator; securing funding from the European Vivaldi project as well as from LTP and core budgets; and negotiating with First Bus for discounted fares for car club members. This has left the community group free to focus on ensuring that members' needs are taken into account.
In a city where parking is a major problem, provision by Edinburgh City Council of legally enforceable marked parking bays for car club vehicles is a big incentive for Edinburgh residents and small businesses to sell their car and join the club. The Council uses 5 car club vehicles for business use, providing off-street bays at their city centre site; the cars are made available to other members for evening and weekend use.
The London Borough of Southwark recognised the potential of car clubs in reducing the traffic impact of new developments. They have secured provision of both on and off-street parking bays paid for by Section 106 Agreements. To support their strategy and aid growth, they are drafting Supplementary Planning Guidance on car clubs, and ensuring that car clubs are built into London's Spatial Development, Transport, and Air Quality strategies. Partnership in the Moses project has provided access to European funding.
Cornwall County Council have included a pilot car club scheme as part of their policy to combat social exclusion. They are the strategic lead body for the car club partnership, which includes the local regeneration agency, Job Centre, employers, and SureStart. As well as providing £5000 seed funding, the Council are supplying ex-fleet vehicles complete with insurance to keep down the costs to club members. The Job Centre and SureStart are offering their clients free membership of the club and costs for essential journeys.
Leeds City Council are integrating a city-wide car club into their European-funded Target project, with a focus on modal shift. Partnerships with Metro (the local PTE), Travelwise and local employers will work on the inclusion of car clubs in workplace travel plans together with incentives of discounted public transport. WhizzGo is operating this club which launched in August 2004.
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