A green-thinking council has cut its entire fleet of staff pool cars in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and save money.

It is the latest move by Brighton and Hove City Council in a bid to make the area one of the most environmentally-friendly in the UK.

The scheme, believed to be the first in the country, to cut back on its pool cars. means that all staff car journeys will now be made in City Car Club vehicles.

Four cars have been allocated to the scheme to replace the eight pool cars the council has axed.

Two will be parked at the council building in King's House, Grand Avenue, Hove, and the other two at Bartholomew House in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, bringing the car club's fleet to 24.

Cars can also be booked by council staff for personal use. They will be charged per hour at a reduced rate through the privately-owned, environmentally conscious motoring club, which has been operating in the city since 2003.

They are parked all around the city in on-street parking bays which are rented from the council. Several city council staff have signed up to the club.

The move will save the council thousands of pounds in pool car costs as well as being good for the environment.

Many of the cars in the car club fleet are hybrid vehicles which run on eco-friendly fuel.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the city council's environment committee, said: "Joining the City Car Club is a great step forward as the council is committed to promoting and encouraging sustainable transport.

"The scheme will provide a practical, cost-effective and environmentally sound alternative to pool cars and should assist in reducing the council's carbon footprint."

The car club plans to expand the club to 80 cars by 2009. So far about 50 council staff have signed up and another 100 workers are expected to join the scheme.

Special rates have been negotiated with the council but members of the public can also use the cars at any time. The cost ranges from £3.60 to £4.50 an hour which includes 50 miles of free petrol.

The cars have on board computers which log each journey made and bookings are made over the internet at www.citycarclub.co.uk or by calling 0845 3301234. There are no monthly fees and City Car Club pays for maintenance, insurance and petrol.

James Finlayson, City Car Club chief executive, said: "Running a fleet can be an expensive business and now the council only has to pay for its usage. Because City Car Club sends an itemised bill each month, council departments can be more accountable and can budget their transport costs better."

Two months ago, The Argus reported the city council's radical plans to power new homes using sun, wind and water.

Any development of three or more homes will have to be carbon neutral, generating energy through solar power, wind turbines or water power, or offset emissions by improving the city's Regency, Victorian and postwar homes with better insulation.

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