Minutes:
The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Cllr Mel Allcott, Cllr Dan Boatright, Cllr Jack Satterthwaite, Cllr Richard Udall, Cllr Josh Robinson, Cllr Lynn Denham, and Cllr Luke Mallett.
The motion was moved by Cllr Lynn Denham and seconded by Jack Satterthwaite who both spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.
The following amendment was moved by Cllr Alan Amos and seconded by Cllr Adam Kent:
“Council is aware of government policy to cease the production of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. Furthermore, Council wishes to see the expansion of electric charging facilities to enable more people, especially those without any off-street parking, the ability to charge their vehicles. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to consider how best to meet this potential demand, if there could be a revenue generating opportunity for the Council and where they could be located to maximise usage but without causing an obstruction or a hinderance to other road users.”
In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:
· The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport commented that a Council policy had been adopted in relation to on-street electric charging machines and this policy was constantly reviewed. Government funding for EV charging installations at a number of locations had been sought. There was also a requirement in the streetscape design guide for all new developments to provide more on-site off-street EV charging points. There were issues with the installation of EV charging points where there was little provision for off-street parking. These issues included access to facilities, maintenance costs and exacerbation of congestion on the road network. The practicalities of enforcement was a further issue. In the future, the private sector would become the main supplier of charging points as the market could react quicker to meet demand and competition would drive prices down and offer improved choice. The County Council would have an enabling role and safeguard the integrity of its assets. It was likely that electricity as a fuel source would be time-limited as the use of hydrogen evolved. Eventually fuel station forecourts could be the main charging points for motorists
· There was a need for more charging points and the concept of the Council becoming more entrepreneurial as it embraced a new local carbon economy was welcomed. The priorities set out in the Worcestershire Energy Strategy included overcoming infrastructure and development barriers, promoting low carbon transport and Active Travel. It was important to recognise that low carbon transport particularly electric vehicles represented the main opportunity to achieve rapid de-carbonisation
· It was disappointing that the reference to a member advisory group (MAG) had been removed from the original motion because it was important to understand all the needs of residents across the county. There was an in-built inequality at present for those EV users who did not have a driveway which prevented them from installing a charging point at their home
· The Council was not doing enough to instal EV charging points and thereby encourage increased use of EVs. It was a particular issue in densely populated urban areas with no off-street parking. Electrification rather than any other form of energy was the main way that climate change would be tackled
· A huge amount of investment was required to provide a network of rapid charging facilities to give motorists the confidence to switch to EVs. Once the network had been established, a motorist should experience no difference from a current visit to a fuel station and associated facilities
· A fuel station was not an attractive place to spend half an hour to an hour recharging your car. A MAG would provide an opportunity for a breadth of ideas/experience/knowledge to be shared which would also be documented
· Petrol/diesel car users did not refuel their cars at home so why should EV users be any different. EV users had the opportunity to charge their vehicles at their destination
· EVs were not the whole solution to the energy crisis, other forms of energy such as Bio CNGs were available. A recent report from the Energy Strategy for the West Midlands indicated that if every vehicle in the West Midlands became an EV, it would require double the current electricity requirement to power them. In addition, there was a huge effort ahead to ensure that energy sources were cleaner and less reliant on fossil fuels
· The best way to achieve a consistent approach to EV charging points was to allow the Cabinet Member enact Council policy and not the establishment of a MAG. Members had the opportunity to input their thoughts through the scrutiny process. In addition, the creation of a MAG would add to the Council’s carbon footprint
· It was important that the Council did not dictate the energy use of the future but instead enabled market demand to determine the appropriate energy source
· Local businesses would adapt to the increased use of EVs and instal charging points in order to encourage custom
· The planning policy for the installation of EV charging points in new developments was excellent but was not clear enough in terms of the understanding by developers that these facilities were for community use.
On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried and put as the substantive motion which was agreed unanimously.
RESOLVED: “Council is aware of government policy to cease the production of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. Furthermore, Council wishes to see the expansion of electric charging facilities to enable more people, especially those without any off-street parking, the ability to charge their vehicles. Council calls upon the Cabinet Member with Responsibility to consider how best to meet this potential demand, if there could be a revenue generating opportunity for the Council and where they could be located to maximise usage but without causing an obstruction or a hinderance to other road users.”