Barnet ALMO tries to remove Essential Car User Lump Sum.

"At the end of 2006/beginning of 2007 I sent out a questionnaire to all members regarding the intention to remove Essential Car User status.

56 members returned the questionnaire,
44 of which were Essential Car Users.
25 of these stated that they had to transport equipment to fulfil their duties.
30 of these said they travelled every working day.

Many were worried about paying their business insurance. 21 members said that they would no longer be prepared to drive their cars during working hours. There were also people who used their cars as an office after site visits. I fed these results back through the correct channels and HR then reviewed the situation. I was quite confident that only new recruits or those changing their jobs would now be affected. However the removal of the Lump Sum has come back to haunt us; with HR planning to remove the status that was initially part of your terms and conditions. I have been promised that meetings will be held with staff to discuss this issue. It is now for you to verbalise the strong comments that you expressed on my questionnaire form. "

Anne Denison
Assistant Branch Secretary Barnet Homes