Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport presenting the public engagement that had informed the development of the Council’s new Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy (EVCS).  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 11’, is filed with these minutes.

Members welcomed the Strategy in general, but suggested a number of potential issues, for example that charging points could attract anti-social behaviour and there could be an increase in neighbourhood disputes, particularly on streets where there was not enough space for charging points.  It was acknowledged that many district councils had installed electric vehicle charging points in public car parks, but these were seldom used due to the cost of using them, and it was often difficult for wheelchair users to access the charging points.  The Director gave assurance that these issues would all be considered.

RESOLVED:

a)         That the feedback from the engagement on the Council’s draft Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy (EVCS) be noted;

b)         That the EVCS be approved;

c)          That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to review and amend the EVCS, to reflect changes in legislation and good practice, and in light of the outcomes from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Pilot Project and the availability of funding, to ensure the EVCS remains fit for purpose.

REASONS FOR DECISION

Although not a legal requirement, the Government has previously set an expectation that all upper tier local authorities develop a local Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy by the end of 2024/25, to underpin local public chargepoint delivery, and to meet the current and future charging needs of residents, businesses, and fleet operators. 

It should be noted that the current Government, elected on 4 July 2024, remains committed to the ban of the future sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, and continues to support the transition to EVs by accelerating the rollout of new chargepoints.

Having an EV strategy in place will be a key element in supporting bids to secure EV funding from the Government, such as LEVI funding.

The EVCS is a key element in the delivery of the Council’s emerging Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2026-40 and will support the Authority’s net zero ambitions.