Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund is intended to create a commercial offer for residents without private off-street parking to have access to electric vehicle charging on residential streets near their homes to allow for on-street charging.

The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund funding from Central Government has been awarded to Greater Manchester to create this market with commercial partners with the contribution and support of individual local authority priorities.

In order to take part in the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund scheme being taken forward by Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council is required to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the local electric vehicle infrastructure fund.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Approve to delegate authority to negotiate and enter into the memorandum of understanding for the local electric vehicle infrastructure programme between Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council and each of the other Greater Manchester local authorities to the Director of Place Management  and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Governance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transportation Services.

(2) Note the requests in paragraph 4.3 of the report contained in the Memorandum of Understanding identifying specific commitments for Stockport as a local authority involved in the Greater Manchester Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund scheme.

(3) Note  that the Memorandum of Understanding requires Officers to work with Transport for Greater Manchester to develop the details of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund funding proposals for Stockport and approve the utilisation the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding allocation to support this work.

(4) Note that a report on the detailed proposals being developed for the proposed scheme together with the proposed contracts will be brought to a future scrutiny and cabinet meeting when greater details are available, which will require further decisions to be taken by the Cabinet.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to create a commercial offer for residents without private off-street parking to have access to electric vehicle charging on residential streets near their homes to allow for on-street charging.

It was commented that the Council already had a clear focus in improving electric vehicle charging infrastructure through the development of a hub network in the borough and that the approach outlined in the report aimed to provide further facilities on residential streets closer to people’s homes.  It was noted that further guidance from government was needed and that there may be a challenge in meeting all of residents’ hopes or expectations when it came to the delivery of charging infrastructure. 

It was further commented that in those residential areas where parking space was already at a premium, there may be a challenge in ensuring that electric vehicle charging bays were kept clear.

RESOLVED - (1) That authority be delegated to the Director of Place Management and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Governance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transportation Services, to negotiate and enter into the memorandum of understanding for the local electric vehicle infrastructure programme between Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council and each of the other Greater Manchester local authorities

(2) That it be noted that the requests in paragraph 4.3 of the report contained in the Memorandum of Understanding identifying specific commitments for Stockport as a local authority involved in the Greater Manchester Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund scheme.

(3) That it be noted that the Memorandum of Understanding requires Officers to work with Transport for Greater Manchester to develop the details of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund funding proposals for Stockport and approve the utilisation the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding allocation to support this work.

(4) That it be noted that a report on the detailed proposals being developed for the proposed scheme together with the proposed contracts will be brought to a future scrutiny and cabinet meeting when greater details are available, which will require further decisions to be taken by the Cabinet.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides details about The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund which is intended to create a commercial offer for residents without private off-street parking to have access to electric vehicle charging on residential streets near their homes to allow for on-street charging.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment upon the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details about The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund which was intended to create a commercial offer for residents without private off-street parking to have access to electric vehicle charging on residential streets near their homes to allow for on-street charging.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       In response a question relating to the allocation of funding for this scheme, it was stated that the funding allocated to the council was considered sufficient.

·       Members welcomed the recently installed EV charging point at Ashbrook Road, North Reddish.

·       Railway stations were cited as potential locations for EV charging points.

·       It was noted that EV charging points in other local authorities were sponsored, thereby providing a source of income for the council.

·       Stockport would be working with TfGM in order to align its approach with the rest of GM.

·       The guidance for the installation of on-street EV charging points would include information on the siting of the charging points in relation to trees and dropped kerbs.

·       The council’s guidance was intended to be an agile document, reflecting the fast-changing nature of the technology.

·       The scheme was intended to provide EV charging points for private homes without driveways. It would be necessary to balance the provision of EV charging points with the risks associated of cables crossing pavements.

·       It was estimated that by 2035, 75 per cent of vehicles would be electric.

·       The procurement process would highlight those areas of the borough where on-street parking was required.     

·       The results of procurement for on-street and commercial EV charging would be reported to a meeting of this Scrutiny Committee in early 2025.

·       Certain areas of the borough, such as Edgeley, had lots of terraced housing stock. This position was replicated across Greater Manchester and nationwide. It provided an opportunity for joint working, shared good practise and adopting a solution which had been trialled elsewhere and shown to work.

·       In terms of design, it was important not to clutter pavements. To that end the council intended to ensure that pedestrians were given priority on the pavement and to consult with appropriate user groups.

·       The siting of EV charging points would be negotiated with GM.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.