Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council selected the SS4C scheme under the terms of a Pan Government Collaborative Framework Agreement originally set up by North Yorkshire County Council when it established its own salary sacrifice car scheme last year. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Tusker's SS4C scheme is available for use by all UK contracting public sector authorities, including Government Departments, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, the NHS, Local Authorities, Police Authorities and Emergency Services.

The scheme is to be offered to up to 3,500 employees within the council's 6,000 strong workforce.

Cars eligible under the scheme have to emit less than 120g/km of carbon dioxide to meet the council's green targets and the first car, a Fiat 500, was this week handed over to Sarah Graham, community safety partnership manager, by councillor Helen McLuckie, cabinet member for Highways, Planning and Transport.

The council's integrated transport manager Colin Bowley said the scheme, which went live in April, had been a resounding success and had exceeded his expectations.

'Our initial view was that interest and take-up would be limited due to public sector spending cuts. But so far with 12 new car orders and another five awaiting internal approval already, they have far exceeded our initial expectations for the scheme. There has been real interest amongst employees,' he said.

'We initially thought that interest would only centre on small cars but we have also had enquiries for premium cars with list prices of up to £27,000 under the scheme,' he added.