Police's fuel-sharing deal to save £130,000

A FUEL-sharing deal has been agreed between East Riding Council and Humberside Police aimed at saving at least £130,000.

It means the organisations will be able to access each other's fuel facilities, cutting the need for them to use more expensive commercial forecourts.

The police, with its patrol cars, and the council, with vehicles including gritters and bin wagons, run up huge fuel bills every year.

The deal is particularly useful for the police, who will now be able to refuel at various sites across East Yorkshire instead of having to return to their operational base.

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The force is hoping to save more than £130,000, which can be spent on maintaining frontline policing.

Council leader Stephen Parnaby said: "This is an excellent initiative by the council and Humberside Police and is a good example of how two public services can work more closely together during these uncertain economic times.

"Not only will this agreement save money, it will also improve the operational efficiencies of our respective fleets, enabling them to do what they do best, serving the residents of the East Riding."

Phil Goatley, assistant chief officer at Humberside Police, said: "As a response to the financial challenges local public bodies are facing, we continue to explore, together, opportunities to make savings, particularly in those areas that allow us to protect frontline services."

The agreement, signed on February 1, will mean 39 police vehicles having access to council facilities in the East Riding as their primary fuel source.

A further 43 police vehicles will be able to use the facilities as a contingency supply when away from their main operational base.

Mr Goatley said: "The joint agreement will save the force an estimated £124,000 to provide four additional diesel fuel facilities across East Yorkshire and a site maintenance cost of about £4,000.

"In addition, we estimate we would save, based on the current difference in price between what the council fuel will cost and local garage prices, £4,000 per year on the cost of fuel used."

The idea, brokered by new police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove, may also be rolled out elsewhere.

Mr Goatley said: "This is something that is starting in the East Riding.

"However, the force expects to sign a similar agreement with North Lincolnshire Council by the middle of March."

Paul Robinson, deputy police and crime commissioner, who is working to develop partnership opportunities, said: "Encouraging this type of collaboration is one of the main priorities in my role.

"It is about the police, local authorities, the health service and the other emergency services working together to make us more efficient.

"We all need to deliver a good service at a time of reducing central funding."

News of the deal comes as motorists were warned petrol prices may soon reach their highest level yet.

The AA said the drop in the value of sterling could push prices to record levels by Easter.

The warning comes as tanker drivers at the Grangemouth refinery, which supplies Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, begin a three-day strike in a row over pay and pensions.

After surging 5p a litre over a month, the price of petrol at the pumps has gone up a further 1p in the past five days, the AA said.

The average cost of petrol in the UK is now 138.32p per litre, with diesel having risen 4.78p from its mid-January price to stand at an average of 145.10p.