Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting dated 18 January 2022 be agreed as an accurate record.

It was confirmed that all items were marked Part 1 and would be considered in public.

The Chairman introduced the item highlighting that the Committee’s final report, detailing the major review undertaken by the Committee into Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure and future policy direction, had been drafted and the Committee were invited to comment on and amend the report ahead of its submission to Cabinet, which was expected to be on 24 March 2022. Members highlighted that the report was well written and formed a comprehensive account of the Committee’s review and subsequent recommendations arising; the Committee commended officers in putting the detailed report together. Gratitude was extended to all of the witnesses, officers and individuals involved with supplying information for the review and aiding Members in reaching their conclusions.

The Committee emphasised that they were looking forward to the changes that would arise as a result of their report, particularly with reference to resident engagement and improving the way in which residents access information relating to the Council’s EV infrastructure and future projects.

Members sought to clarify the timescales in which the proposed recommendations could be implemented by Cabinet. The drafted report had grouped recommendations into short, medium and long-term; the Committee felt that some leeway needed to be given to Cabinet in the implementation of the recommendations due to the rapidly evolving nature of the EV sector, although it was understood that the short-term recommendations should be implemented as soon as feasibly possible. To that end, the Committee decided that a timescale should be added to the short-term recommendation in that, Cabinet should aim to implement these within 6 to 12 months of the report’s submission to Cabinet. The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that the agreed amendment would be made.

With regard to recommendation 4, it was highlighted that the annual report that would be prepared for the relevant Select Committee reporting back on the implementation of the new EV charge point contract and monitoring data of new charge points, should also include reference to whether any neighbourly disputes over charge points had occurred and if any complaints had been received around the overcrowding of pavements, which had been noted as a concern throughout the review.

The Committee highlighted the pertinence of the review and wished to thank the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport for attending a witness session in their capacity as Cabinet Member. Comments were made as to the review acting as a framework for the intended direction of travel that the Council would wish to undertake. It was also noted that the review supported the Council’s ongoing work with regard to appointing a commercial partner for the provision of EV charge points in the Borough.

RESOLVED That the Public Safety and Transport Select Committee:

1)    Agreed the draft final report and recommendations in principle and endorsed its submission to Cabinet for due consideration; and,

2)    Delegated any minor drafting changes required prior to the report’s submission to Cabinet to the Democratic Services Officer, in consultation with the Chairman.

The Chairman briefly outlined the upcoming items in the Cabinet Forward Plan under the remit of the Select Committee. The Committee noted that a Cabinet Member decision regarding any update to the Council’s Vehicle Crossover Policy would first be subject to the Council’s petition process due to the two active petitions received on this subject.

RESOLVED That the Committee noted the Forward Plan.

It was noted that officers had requested that the information item on the Council’s Roads and Footways Resurfacing Programme, scheduled for 08 March 2022 be deferred to later in the Spring. The Committee expressed their dissatisfaction that this was the case and sought to ensure that the item came to the Committee’s 07 April 2022 meeting, ahead of any potential changes to the structure of scrutiny that may come with the local election in May 2022. It was confirmed that the Committee’s feedback would be passed on to officers preparing the report. Members also sought to ensure that the upcoming reports on the Work Programme would be written reports.

RESOLVED That the Select Committee noted the items listed on the work programme.