A Success Story: Tusker’s Car Benefit Scheme in North Lanarkshire

At the heart of North Lanarkshire Council’s recent initiatives lies a commitment to enhance the benefits provided to its staff members.

Always striving to offer more, the Council recognised an opportunity to introduce a new, meaningful benefit—a car scheme that not only supports staff wellbeing but also aligns with the council’s green climate and active travel objectives. This led to the partnership with Tusker, a decision that has quickly proven to be a resounding success.

The process of appointing Tusker was straightforward and efficient, thanks to the Crown Commercial Services framework and a partnership with Edenred that was already in place. This existing procurement route allowed the Council to move swiftly and with confidence. The team at Tusker was thorough and supportive throughout the implementation process, ensuring that everything was set up smoothly and met the high standards expected by the Council.

As soon as the scheme launched at the end of January, it became clear that there was significant interest in the car scheme – far beyond the expectations of the teams involved. The response was overwhelmingly positive and predictions for the entire year were surpassed within the first three months alone. The car scheme has remained incredibly popular, with more staff members showing interest every week.

One of the key reasons for the scheme’s popularity is how well it fits alongside other benefits offered to employees. For years, staff have enjoyed the Cycle to Work scheme, which promotes environmentally friendly commuting. The new car benefit scheme builds on this green initiative by offering a salary sacrifice option that not only helps employees save money but also encourages the use of environmentally friendly vehicles. This is particularly appealing to those who are mindful of their carbon footprint and want to contribute to the Council’s sustainability goals.

The platform for managing these benefits is already well-established, overseen by a capable team that ensures everything runs smoothly. Before the scheme even launched, there was significant interest among staff members, with many asking when they could get started. This enthusiasm was further fuelled by discussions with other local authorities, who shared insights into their own successful experiences with similar schemes. The uptake for the car scheme has been strong and consistent, as it has been within other public sector organisations.

Having benefits which are reported consistently, ensures the team aren’t burdened with additional administration. The finance team complete a single Full Payment Submission to HMRC for all of their benefits which ensures more accuracy for those involved, too.

The scheme has done as it promised. It has provided staff with a valuable new benefit, significant savings, and an opportunity to contribute to a greener future—all while supporting the Council’s broader objectives.