To receive the above update.

Ben Smith, Head of Commissioning, informed the Panel that Cabinet had agreed to change the fleet of pool cars to electric cars. At the time, the current provider was only offering BMW cars which were very expensive. There were now many more cars being offered and therefore at the end of the current contract, electric/hybrid vehicles would be investigated and selected.

The use of pool cars had been advertised by HR and subsequently there had been an increase in the use of pool cars. All planners now used the pool cars.

There had also been a lot of work done on identifying a Partner to trial a pilot scheme within one of the major developments, where the council could block book the cars during the daytime and midweek and residents could use the cars in the evenings and at weekends. This was being considered further at another Forum.

The Chairman pointed out that it was the same report presented to the Panel which they had scrutinised in September 2017. The Chairman suggested that ward members and parish councillors be contacted for suggestions on where they felt residents would require charging points to be installed. Ben Smith informed the Panel that a website had been live for more than 9 months and suggestions could have been posted on the website.

The Panel asked if the 75% funding from central government  had been applied for, which was available for the use of electric cars. Ben Smith informed the Panel that the company that we were working with, Connected Curb, had put forward an application for a developing system and another application had been put forward for charging points.

Councillor Quick pointed out that it would be the rapid chargers that would be more beneficial. Currently there were three charging points in the council in one of the car parks but these were hardly used.

Councillor Shelim requested information on rapid chargers and installation at households. He also requested further information on who paid for the electricity usage on public charging points and who maintained them. Ben Smith informed the Panel that private chargers were funded privately but a grant could be applied for. The electricity usage for public points was provided by the provider and the public would sign up to the provider and pay for usage.

The Panel asked who would provide the administrative process for the car share/car-pooling and it was confirmed that this would be managed by the company/developer. This would address the insurance issues.

Councillor E Wilson commented on the report and pointed out that it was a good report but was covered three separate points in one report, pool cars, car club and on street electric vehicle points pilot, this would not include RBWM points such as Braywick and Oak Leisure Centre. Councillor E Wilson felt that there was no one policy objective, there were many different objectives. Ben Smith commented that in any future report, this could be addressed.

Councillor Da Costa asked why there had been such a long delay in taking this forward and was informed that this was because of the current lease and since the current booking system/car system was so well embedded. Also previously only one car was on offer but there were many more details now available. However, there would be 10 vehicles available early next year. The budget would remain similar as no termination fee was to be paid, before it was only the BMW offered and now other cars were available.

Councillor Da Costa asked if the charging points were industry standard and had best practice been considered and was informed that a major research document was in place with statistical data. A lot of research had been completed and was in place. Officers had also considered research from Oxford City Council.

The Chairman requested more detail be presented to the next Panel meeting with more detailed information such as timelines and costings and more information on the car club. It would be useful to see and understand the choice and costings of different vehicles on offer.