To consider the above report.

Ben Smith, Head of Highways and Transport stated the report was initially presented to Panel back in April 2017 where a number of issues were talked through. Cabinet made some amendments and this was the update following on from that. The report looked at the size of fleet, whether or not it was appropriate and if there were other uses for the fleet.

The contract would reduce the number of cars from 13 down to 10 and with the pool car fleet not used at weekends, there was potential to work with partners and introduce a car club scheme. The third element of the report was to install 10 or more electric vehicle charging points on street to encourage electric vehicles.

The Chairman stated the Panel discussed the report in April 2017 and a few concerns were addressed. He really welcomed the reduction in the fleet from 13 cars to 10. The Chairman said a policy was needed for officers to use pool cars instead of their own cars and he was pleased that was in the process of being produced to reflect that.

The Chairman directed the Panel to page 200 of the agenda pack as that gave a flavour of how to register in order to use the cars. The current system was very complicated to use and staff will have to confirm if there were not pool cars available when they make a journey in their own cars and claimed mileage. Councillor Hunt stated she was pleased to see there was a government grant available for residents to install charging points for their cars. Ben Smith explained there were locations where residents had requested charging points so the Council would start with those. He was happy for Councillors to email him with request for their own wards.

The Chairman said he was concerned during the last meeting regarding the termination of the lease; but the new lease would be for two years so there was no early termination fee. He felt the scheme was good value for money. Ben Smith confirmed no decision had been made as to what cars would be leased, but the figures in the report were based on the BMW i3 and were indicative. Councillor Lion did not feel it was the right time to go fully electric as the technology was still quite new. The Chairman said by 2020 London would only have electric buses and the Council needed to think about this and should order vehicles for the future.

Councillor Da Costa said there were no uniform charging points and there would be restrictions for employees regarding which cars they used for business trips. The cost – benefit analysis was not clear and did not include fuel and electric costs and savings. He queried who paid for residents to charge their cars and if there was government support available for the charging points. Ben Smith stated the staff policy tried to encourage staff to use pool cars and that was being taken to the next level to say they should try and organise a pool car before claiming mileage. He added there were schemes for residents charging points and business charging points in place that could be applied for.

Councillor Sharpe stated if the Borough was installing charging points, it would be beneficial for the Borough to take risks as a potential way to make money. The points should be fast charging points.

David Scott, Head of Communities and Highways confirmed there was no car club scheme currently running. The paper requested permission to carry out a pilot car club and the Borough would need to seek a partner. The scheme would run on an advance registration basis as people could not just turn up and use the cars. Any car club scheme could reduce the number of vehicles in the Town Centre and the scheme could be extended if successful. Councillor Hunt said it was an excellent idea.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That The Panel unanimously endorsed the recommendations to Cabinet and requested that Officers provide the cost: benefit analysis of the scheme for Panel, and also confirm what type of charging points the Borough is looking to install.