Council Notes that:
Stroud District Council declared a climate change emergency in November 2018;
On the 24 January 2019, the Council passed a motion to endorse the ‘Climate Emergency’ announced by the administration on 16 November 2018 and pledged “to do everything within the Council’s power to make Stroud District carbon neutral by 2030”;
To that end, on 18 July 2019, the Council agreed to move to the use of electric/hybrid vehicles and install a number of charging points across the District. The Head of Community Services, in consultation with the Head of Finance and the Chair of the Environment Committee was authorised to determine the final number of charging points required and their location.
Three years on from this decision, a plan for the provision of EV charging points, funded from the Business Rates Pilot Reserve, has not yet been produced, even though other councils have made good progress on that. These are just a few examples.
? 3rd November 2021 Swindon Borough Council installed 11 double headed EV charging points creating 22 bays in total with locations decided by residents.
? BANES Council will have installed 30 EV charging points by the end of 2022 and will bring their total to 50 EV charging points.
? Mendip District Council, alongside partners EB Charging, are installing 43 EV charging points in 13 council car parks spring/summer 2022
? There are 62 new charging points in total available in Vale of the White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire.
? Monday, 8th August 2022 Work on the installation of 26 electric vehicle charging points in seven locations across West Norfolk has begun.
Council resolves that:
(i) At least 2 electric charging points be installed in each of our council owned car parks within the next 2 years and that a wider rollout plan be included in the 23/24 budget; and
(ii) Residents be allowed to use the charging points and have 60 minutes free car parking for that purpose.
(iii) The Strategic Director of Resources be authorised, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Chair of the Environment Committee, to determine the appropriate method of funding the installation of the charging points and to enter into any necessary documentation to that end.
Minutes:
Councillor Green introduced the Motion and explained that on 18 July 2019 the Council agreed to move to the use of electric and hybrid vehicles and install a number of charging points across the Stroud District. The plan for the provision of EV charging points had not yet been finalised. She expressed her disappointment that action had not been taken sooner and that she hoped Members would support the Motion to ensure the first charging points were installed and that a plan was produced for a wider roll out.
A friendly amendment as laid out with the additions in red below was proposed by Councillor Turner and agreed by Councillor Green and Councillor H Jones.
i.
(At least 2 Electric
vehicle charging points be installed in each of our
council owned/managed
car parks in at least four market town locations,
within the next 2 years
12 months, with and that a
wider phased rollout plan be included reflected in the 23/24
budget.; and
ii. A plan for the provision of EV charge points be brought to Environment Committee in February 2023, for adoption.
iii.
Users Residents be allowed
to park their cars overnight for the
purpose of using the charging points. use the charging points and have 60 minutes free car parking for that
purpose.
iv. The Strategic Director of Resources be authorised, in consultation with the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee, to determine the appropriate method of funding the installation of the charging points and to enter into any necessary documentation to that end.
Councillor Turner acknowledged that the rollout had not moved as fast as they had liked however, she advised that it was a complex exercise. They had engaged consultants earlier that year and they were now in a position to move forward.
Councillor Schoemaker asked what the advantage of having chargers in car parks was if they were more expensive than charging at home. Councillor Turner advised that the chargers would be for those who do not have the provision for charging electric vehicles at home and for those who need to charge whilst they are away from their home. Councillor Green advised that there were also service vehicles and SDC owned vehicles that could use the charging points.
Councillor Prenter asked whether Taxi drivers could recharge their vehicles at the charging points. Councillor Turner confirmed that the chargers would be available for anyone to use but there would be a charge to park in the space. She advised that the Chamber of Trade were looking at charging points for taxi vehicles through a different project.
Councillor Cornell asked whether there would be consultation with the Town Councils regarding the best places to put the charging points and whether they would be prioritising Towns that don’t have any charging points. Councillor Turner advised that the consultants had considered the existing provisions and they would be having conversations with the market towns.
Councillor Pearson asked that they consider what type of charging lead to install as different vehicles needed different leads.
In response to Councillor Pearson and Councillor Kay it was confirmed the consultants would be considering the best type of lead to install and whether fast charging points were appropriate.
Councillor Hynd stated that they lived in a District that had woeful active travel infrastructure around cycling and walking and members would have received many complaints about the bus service. He further stated that they needed a shift in how transport funding was allocated and urged those who sat on Gloucestershire Council to take that back.
Councillor Layfield advised that he welcomed any initiative that addressed the climate emergency however, Electric Vehicles were only a small part of the solution. He asked Members to think bigger and show greater ambition when it comes to climate change.
Councillor H Jones stated that this would be a step forward and it was important that when decisions were made the actions are followed up on he asked all Members to support the amended Motion.
Councillor Turner stated she was looking forward to working with members of the Environment Committee on the strategy in February.
Councillor Green hoped that everyone would be able to support the Motion.
On being put to the Vote the Motion was carried unanimously.
RESOLVED
That:
I. Electric vehicle charging points be installed in council owned/managed car parks in at least four market town locations, within the next 12 months, with a wider phased rollout plan reflected in the 23/24 budget.
II. A plan for the provision of EV charge points be brought to Environment Committee in February 2023, for adoption.
III. Users be allowed to park their cars overnight for the purpose of using the charging points.
IV. The Strategic Director of Resources be authorised, in consultation with the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee, to determine the appropriate method of funding the installation of the charging points and to enter into any necessary documentation to that end.