Issue - meetings

Item CB 21/56 referred from Cabinet of 2 June 2021

Item CB 21/56 referred from Cabinet minutes of 2 June 2021.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations at Minute CB 21/56 be approved. 

A report relating to the provision of electric vehicle charging points throughout the Borough was considered by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board on 25 May 2021.

Due to the timescale and print deadlines for Cabinet, recommendations arising from the Advisory Board will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 25 May 2021 (as set out at Minute Number CH 21/12).

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the provision of electric charging points in Borough Council car parks across the borough be progressed in accordance with the phased approach outlined in the report;

(2)             subject to an exemption from Contract Procedure Rules (to be sought from the relevant Statutory Officers), the phase one charging points be procured through the Kent Commercial Services Framework Y21002;

(3)             the phase two charging points be procured through the Kent County Council joint procurement exercise;

(4)             the phase one project be added to the Capital Plan List A for implementation in 2021/22;

(5)             the Borough Council’s contribution of £40,000 is met, subject to Kent County Council approval, from Kent Business Rates Pool monies held in the Business Rates Retention Scheme reserve; and

(6)             the budget growth of £12,000 and its impact on the Borough Council’s savings target be noted.

*Referred to Council

This report outlines a proposed phased approach to the provision of Electric Vehicle Charging Points in the Council’s car parks across the borough, in accordance with the Council’s Climate Change Strategy.

Proposals for a phased approach for the provision of Electric Vehicle Charging Points in the Borough Council’s car parks were outlined.

It was reported that the proposals would support the Borough Council’s aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030 and providing the infrastructure to support electric vehicles would be instrumental in facilitating the change to greener vehicles.  The Borough Council had committed to provide electric charging points across the borough as part of the Climate Change Strategy.

A summary of the advantages and disadvantages of a number of options to consider was attached at Annex 1. In addition, a desktop assessment of the Borough Council’s car parks undertaken by UK Power Networks was attached at Annex 2.

It was also proposed that the charging points be procured directly via the Kent Commercial Services Framework Y21002 and progressed as soon as possible.  Particular reference was made to the financial implications and it was reported that the cost of the provision of the chargers was estimated at £120,000.  This would be met through a combination of the successful supplier, government grants and a contribution estimated at £40,000 from the Borough Council’s own resource.  The Kent Business Rates Pool monies held in the Business Rates Retention Scheme reserve had been identified as a potential funding stream, subject to County Council approval.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the provision of electric charging points in Borough Council car parks across the borough be progressed in accordance with the phased approach outlined in the report;

(2)             subject to an exemption from Contract Procedure Rules (to be sought from the relevant Statutory Officers), the phase one charging points be procured through the Kent Commercial Services Framework Y21002;

(3)             the phase two charging points be procured through the Kent County Council joint procurement exercise;

(4)             the phase one project be added to the Capital Plan List A for implementation in 2021/22;

(5)             the Borough Council’s contribution of £40,000 is met, subject to Kent County Council approval, from Kent Business Rates Pool monies held in the Business Rates Retention Scheme reserve; and

(6)             the budget growth of £12,000 and its impact on the Borough Council’s savings target be noted.

*Referred to Council