Chichester District Council
Agenda item

Agenda item

Late Items - Call In - Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Minutes:

This matter was considered as a matter of urgency under section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Cabinet decision 64 of 3 November 2020 – Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure had been called in, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Constitution, by Councillors Brown, Sharp, Fowler, O'Kelly, Hughes, Bowden, Barrie and Bangert.

 

The criteria identified by Mr Brown for calling in the decision was that

b) the matter has not been subject to consultation or debate with relevant interested parties, c) the delay in implementing the decision is likely to cause significant harm to the council or others and d) the decision is against an approved policy or budget provision of the council.

 

Mr Brown was invited to present his evidence on behalf of the Call In signatories in respect of the decision taken by Cabinet,having considered the recommendation from the Environment Panel, not to join the WSCC concession contract for the planning, installation and deployment, service and maintenance of electric vehicle charge points (EVCP) across the county of West Sussex but to monitor usage of the Council’s electric vehicle charge points and keep under review whether the Council wishes to join the contract at a future date.

 

Mr Brown was of the opinion that the Council’s Climate Change Emergency had not been properly considered in Cabinet’s decision, which would undermine the Council’s ability to meet the objectives set out in its draft Climate Action Plan.  He was concerned there were no plans for the Council to introduce further electric charging points across the District.  This was an opportunity for the Council to take a lead on the provision of EVCPs for a single solution across the County. If the Council joined at a later date it would have no vote or ‘seat at the table’. There was both a County and a National Strategy for the roll out of EVCPs.

 

Mrs Plant, Cabinet member for the Environment and Contract Services was invited to respond to the Call In and put the case for the decision made by Cabinet.  Once the details of the concession contract were known, Cabinet would consider a further report and make an informed decision.

 

Mr Ballard explained that before a decision was taken the details of all available concessions contracts should be known, so as to understand the market offer. A graph showing usage for the District’s 18 electric vehicle charging points in the District from December 2019 to August 2020 was displayed for members.  It showed usage was low.  Therefore, it was suggested there was not sufficient urgency to refer the decision back to Cabinet the resolution made gave the Council the necessary flexibility to have a watching brief, and to assess and understand the full impact of WSCC’s  contract once received.  WSCC’s list of proposed charging point sites did not duplicate the District Council’s site. The urgency of Climate Change was understood, however it was important to ensure the right decision was made to use the Council’s assets to the best effect.   

 

During the discussion a number of comments were made.  A member raised the issue of whether it was premature to provide further ECVPs when at this early stage in the roll out of electric cars when other options, such as hydrogen, were emerging.  A comment was made that the Government was considering bringing forward its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel engine cars and vans from ahead of the current deadline of 2030.  There was some concern expressed that the contract details were not available, but noted the assurance made by Mrs Plant that Cabinet would consider the contract when available. A member referred to the currently disjointed and complicated approach to the provision of EVCPs and welcomed any attempt to work together to provide in a coordinated approach.

 

The Chairman noted that the other District and Borough councils in West Sussex had signed up without knowing the details of the contract. The Council should be at the forefront in providing of EVCPs in working together with the other Councils to make sure this Council had the same system in place.  On balance he considered some of the arguments made not to join the scheme at this stage were not correct and that the Council should move forward with the WSCC scheme and welcomed a coordinated approach. 

 

Mr Brown made a closing statement with regard to his reasons for urgency.  The Council would have the option to join at a later date with the parish councils, as a collaborating party.  However, although the deadline had recently passed, joining at this stage as a key delivery partner, would give the Council the opportunity to sit on the board and help shape the process, which would include being involved in the contract writing process.

 

The Chairman reminded the committee of the options available to them to either refer the decision back to the decision maker, Cabinet, for reconsideration, or to accept the Cabinet decision in which the decision stands.

 

Mr Bennett provided advice on the voting process.

 

RESOLVED

 

To refer the decision back to the decision maker for reconsideration taking into account the comments made by the committee.

 

RECOMMENDATION

That the Cabinet reconsider the decision made at its meeting on 3 November 2020 relating to Item 12 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure taking into account the comments made by the Committee.

 

 

 

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