Agenda item

This report summarises the Council’s position regarding the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCPs) in public car parks and Council property.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Streetscene summarizing the Council’s position regarding the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP) in public car parks and Council property.

Members were advised that since publication of the report the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles had extended grants to car park schemes, if they are near to residential areas.

In answer to a question, Members were advised that market forces drive the positioning of the initial locations, as they need to be in the busiest and therefore the most profitable car parks. If other locations become more commercially viable then they would indeed be considered.

Members were pleased that it was Green Lane in Hardway that would be on the list for an EVCP, as the type of housing in that area makes it difficult to park on street, and the visiting yachtsmen could make use of the facility.

The Chairman advised that suggestions from Members would form part of the discussions with potential suppliers.

Members were advised that the scale of charges would be visible before the contract was agreed. Any changes to those charges would be down to market forces which should help control and minimise increases as users would be familiar with charges in other areas.

It was explained that a 15 year contract made the scheme commercially viable and would assist the supplier in re-couping the substantial investment necessary. Contracts would be called off from existing frameworks such as the Hampshire based or ESPO. Companies on these frameworks would have already completed due diligence, and our own procurement system would  ensure best value for money

It was pointed out that there are three potential options for EVCPs, those provided by commercial organisations such as supermarkets and garages, the off road parking type that this report covers and the on road option which would be under the remit of Hampshire County Council who may not see Gosport as a priority. The grants that have only just become available cover installation, but Gosport Borough Council would have to bear the maintenance costs.

Members were advised that the car parks would be redesigned to provide large parking bays with charging points, and road markings to inform that they are for electric vehicles only. Each car park would have 2 or 4 bays to hopefully ensure an available charging point. Any non electric car found to be parked in these bays would be dealt with by enforcement. The electric vehicle would still have to pay the parking charge or be in possession of a permit.

Members were reminded that the Local Plan is still waiting to be approved by the inspectorate and once approved will run until 2038. The plan is for Gosport Borough Council to mandate future new builds to provide a certain amount of points.

In answer to a Members question, Officers advised that in the context of a fully funded business model, the costs of supply installation and maintenance would be born by the contractor, and was the most likely but not only option. The Council would be responsible for updating the car parks and their signage and rewriting the parking SPD. Enforcement would be responsible for policing it.

Members voiced concerns about the danger of trailing cables on paths and pavements and all agreed that this was a Hampshire issue of Health & Safety.

Members wished to thank Officers for the work involved in producing the report, and felt that a company running the scheme on behalf of the Council was preferable as even with Government grants there would still need to be substantial investment by the Council with no guarantee of profit, as even Hampshire were finding issues with the profitability of their charging points.

RESOLVED: that the Board:

·         Noted the information provided in the report

·         Delegated authority to the Head of Streetscene to procure and contract an EVCP supplier or suppliers to install and manage EVCOs in Council owned car parks and on Council owned property.