Agenda item

To consider a report by the Operations Manager and Assistant Director Strategic Insight and Delivery on a proposal to adopt a Public Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy.

Executive Councillor: L Davenport-Ray.

The Cabinet has approved the proposed ‘Public Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy’ as outlined within the report.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Assistant Director Strategic Insight and Delivery (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet noted that in recent years there has been a significant growth in the number of electric vehicles (EV) seen on the roads in the UK with over 3,500 now registered in the District. This growth is anticipated to increase in line with restrictions on the sale and manufacture of vehicles.

By way of background the Executive Councillor for Climate and Environment Councillor L Davenport-Ray acknowledged this growth and informed Cabinet that the HDC Climate Action Plan that had been approved February 2023 had set out an action to ‘Develop an EV Strategy for Huntingdonshire’. Subsequently the HDC Climate Working Group in collaboration with officers have developed a ‘Public EV Charging’ strategy that aims to identify and provide clarity on the role of Huntingdonshire District Council in public EV charging. It was noted that recognising EV growth funding opportunities have previously been made available to local authorities and to access to these funds, there is a requirement for the District Council to have an endorsed EV Strategy in place and failure to have an EV strategy in place may limit the ability of the District Council to apply for external funding.

Cabinet welcomed the intention for the District Council to seek partnerships and funding to enhance the District’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to work with partners to expand the infrastructure for sustainable and low carbon travel; and to promote the health benefits of active travel and alternative travel choices.

Cabinet acknowledged that some residents and businesses will continue to require private transport and especially in those rural areas where there no access to public transport and private off-street parking suitable for charging. For many residents the cost of acquiring an electric vehicle represents a significant challenge and achieving a just transition for these residents, including a transition to the ‘substitute’ of electric vehicles, may require encouragement and support from local government.

The Cabinet were informed that the assessment of local EV charging provision highlighted that 70 additional charge points would be required in the District to reach the national average. It was highlighted that a significant lack of publicly accessible EV charge points existed outside of Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives, the use of public charge points by EV Owners is primarily for top up or partial charging as opposed to fully charge a vehicle and both EV and Non-EV owners agreed it is fair for EV users to pay to use public charge points.

Members attention was drawn to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel in particular Councillor Alban who had stated that he was pleased with the reassurance that rural villages would be supported with this strategy. The Cabinet acknowledged that outside of Huntingdon, St Neots, St Ives there are different needs and expectations in regard to the installation at non-HDC locations. Also, should a Parish Council wish to operate EV Charge Points, they must have in place a General Power of Competence (GPC) (i.e., a Parish with GPC in place may operate and charge for EV charge points). However, if a Parish Council does not have GPC, the District Council are able to act as enabler and to assist them in accordance with the relevant legislation to help them explore the operation of EV Charge Points on their land.

Accordingly, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the proposed ‘Public Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy’ as outlined in the report now submitted be approved.