Decision details

Matter for Decision

Moving to a future where electric vehicles are the norm, presents many challenges both technical and social and as a lower tier authority Cambridge City Council only has control over some aspects of the transition.

 

Key areas where we can act and those where we are taking action are identified in the Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Strategy document and include Taxi Licencing; Fleet; Planning; and the management and operation of our car parks and housing developments.

 

The document sets out the approach of Cambridge City Council in identifying those areas where we can take a lead and where funding opportunities exist. Where opportunities for grant-funding exist, and the City Council is the appropriate lead, we will pursue that funding.

 

Where there is an obvious need to provide infrastructure on a commercial basis e.g. within our car parking asset, the aim is to engage the market and find a financially manageable solution.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Climate Change,

Environment and City Centre

       i.          Acknowledged both the opportunities, and limitations of Cambridge City Councils role in supporting the transition to Electric Vehicles as set out in the appended Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Strategy.

     ii.          Endorsed the recommended strategic approach notably:

a.    The key areas for action within Cambridge City Council (Car parks, Taxi licencing, planning policy, commercial property and Housing.)

b.    Identification of Government, public and commercial sources of funding; and

c.    Working in partnership with other relevant authorities (County Council, Other Districts, Greater Cambridge Partnership, the Combined Authority to identify and deliver electric vehicle support in areas where it is appropriate for others to take the lead.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Environmental Quality & Growth Manager.

 

The Environmental Quality & Growth Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          The purpose of the strategy was to set out how many officers/organisations were involved in projects and who could do what.

     ii.          The strategy set out performance indicators the council had signed up to. The aim was to match projects against funding available. The document was not ‘fixed’, metrics could be developed/amended in future as the Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure project developed.

   iii.          A fleet review was being undertaken. The aim was to replace a significant number of vehicles with electric ones. A framework was being put together for a cost/benefit analysis.

 

The Executive Councillor said vehicles would be replaced by electric ones where practicable at the end of their working life.

 

   iv.          The council was trying to facilitate car club spaces with charging points for electric vehicles with partners. There were a number of schemes where this was being championed.

    v.          The City Council were looking to liaise with other councils to learn from their experience. The Environmental Quality & Growth Manager had already liaised with Dundee and Oxford.

   vi.          Owner/occupiers could install charging points on their driveways etc. These were harder to install on-street as the Highways Authority managed the highway. Drivers could access rapid charge points at petrol stations.

 vii.          Referred to details in the Officer’s report concerning the electrification of the Stagecoach bus fleet. This was not the responsibility of the City Council, but the Greater Cambridge Partnership had some influence. There was a statement of intent in the report that diesel buses would be replaced with electric ones.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.