WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. 
The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and 
misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you 
should refer to the pdf version of this document.

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 
Finance Committee Paper 1 31/10/08 

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 


FOR DECISION 

Title: ASSET DISPOSALS – POOL CARS 

Prepared by: DAVID CAMERON, HEAD OF CORPORATE SERVICES 

Purpose 

To seek the Committee’s approval to declaring two pool vehicles as surplus 
to requirements. 

Recommendations 

The Committee is asked to: 

a) agree that two Subaru pool vehicles are now declared surplus to 
requirements; 

b) consider and approve the means of disposing of these assets, as set 
out at point 7 below. 

Executive Summary 

1. The Authority’s Financial Regulations does not currently include 
guidance on procedures to use in determining whether an asset held 
by the Authority is surplus to requirements or the methods by which 
assets may be disposed of. This omission, now identified, will be 
addressed by the Head of Corporate Services and the Finance 
Manager and brought to the Committee for approval. 

2. In the absence of any procedure set out in the Financial Regulations, 
the Finance Committee’s approval is now sought to both declaring 
two pool cars as surplus to requirements and to disposal of these surplus 
assets. 

3. As the Committee is aware, the Authority has been undertaking a 
programme of pool car replacement to: 

a) ensure the fleet is as economical as possible; 

b) improve the Authority’s environmental impact through reducing 
emissions; and 

c) ensure vehicles remain reliable. 



4. The Authority owns 2 Subaru Foresters, both purchased in March 2005. 
These vehicles are now the highest rated (at 204g/km) in terms of 
emissions of the Authority’s fleet of pool vehicles (the others of which 
range from 120-135g/km), and have now gone out of their warranty 
period. Staff believe that both vehicles may soon begin to incur 
increasing maintenance costs. 

5. The total balance sheet value of the vehicles, as at 31 March 2008, was 
£11,462. Assuming disposal around end November, this total book 
value will have reduced to around £7,475. 

6. In order to continue to address the Authority’s approach to reducing its 
environmental impact, and also to avoid the risk of future maintenance 
costs arising on older vehicles, the Committee is asked to agree that 
these two Subarus are now declared surplus to requirements. 

7. In order to dispose of the vehicles, I propose to advertise their 
availability through email to staff, community groups and board 
members. We will also seek quotes for sale back to dealerships. 
Disposal will be on the basis of sealed bids to be returned by a set 
date. 

8. The Committee are requested to consider and approve the means of 
disposing of these assets. 

9. The vehicles will be replaced by new, leased vehicles with lower 
emission ratings, in line with pool car investment and management 
policies. 

David Cameron 
October 2008 

davidcameron@cairngorms.co.uk