Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Operations to enhance Electric Vehicle charging in the Council’s off street car parks.

Executive Councillor: Mrs M Beuttell.

The Cabinet has approved:

§  the locations proposed and phasing of the installation of Electric Vehicle charging points;

§  the type and number of charging points at a given site; and

§  a fee from the options presented, or alternative based on the evidence presented.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a proposal to enable the delivery of Electric Vehicle charging points within Huntingdonshire in line with the Council’s Off Street Car Parking Strategy 2018-2023.

In noting that the project would be delivered in two phases concluding at the end of July 2021 and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships), the Cabinet expressed their support for the proposals. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet approve:

(a)  the locations proposed and phasing of the installation of Electric Vehicle charging points;

(b)  the type and number of charging points at a given site; and

(c)  a fee from the options presented, or alternative based on the evidence presented.

A report on Electric Vehicle Charging will be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) proposals relating to electric vehicle charging were considered by the Panel. Members were informed that the Council was reviewing what charging points could be installed based on existing power supply. The Panel was recommended to support option 3, in which the Council would offer a charging service at the rate of £0.29 per kWh.

Following a question from Councillor Alban on whether the number of charging points would meet the demand, the Panel was informed that the number of charging points proposed was based on the results of a survey. It was explained that the proposal was proportionate and would involve installing a prudent number of points and monitoring usage.

Councillor Alban then queried whether the Council could work with Town and Parish Councils in order to install electric vehicle charging points on their property. It was explained that the Council did not have the necessary in-house expertise to do this but could put Town and Parish Councils in contact with the experts that worked with the Council on the proposal.

In response to Councillor Dickinson’s question on the company the Council was using, it was explained that consideration was being given to procuring an operator to provide the power supply as well as the charging points.

Following a question from Councillor Wilson, it was confirmed that car parking charges were applied to those vehicles occupying the electric vehicle charging bays in addition to electric vehicle charging fees. It was also confirmed that electric charging bays would be the same size as regular bays.

The Chairman asked about the tariff options identified. In response the Panel was informed that the proposed tariff would ensure there would be enough income to recover all capital and operational costs in a suitable timescale. Having expressed support for the proposals and the preferred tariff of option 3, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations as outlined within the report.