Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The report provides an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and requests comment and support for that strategy. The report also identifies the implications of the proposed approach for Stockport residents.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Endorse and approve the Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Charging Strategy and request that officers work with TfGM and the schemes commercial partners to identify more sites in Stockport whilst acknowledging there is a financial impact if more spaces in Council owned carparks are changed to electric vehicle charging bays.

(2) That the Corporate Director (Place) be requested to support the introduction of appropriate regulations to discourage people overstaying their time in these charging bays and also to ensure an appropriate balance of general parking provision is maintained.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy.

It was commented that there were parts of the borough that had high levels of terraced housing where it was not practical for householders to install electric vehicle charging points, and that by providing an increased number of public charging points, it would encourage the uptake of electric vehicles amongst those who would otherwise not be able to access them.

RESOLVED - (1) That  the Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Charging Strategy be endorsed and approved and it be requested that officers work with TfGM and the schemes’ commercial partners to identify more sites in Stockport whilst acknowledging there was a financial impact if more spaces in Council owned carparks were changed to electric vehicle charging bays.

(2) That the Corporate Director (Place) be requested to support the introduction of appropriate regulations to discourage people overstaying their time in these charging bays and also to ensure an appropriate balance of general parking provision is maintained.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and requests comment and support for that strategy. The report also identifies the implications of the proposed approach for Stockport residents.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, the draft strategy and the proposed recommendations to Cabinet.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and requesting comment and support for that strategy. The report also identified the implications of the proposed approach for Stockport residents.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There were a lot of people who lived in terraced houses in Stockport which were close to the road who would not be able to charge electric vehicles easily from their home.

·         The availability of access to charging infrastructure was a critical barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles. Until this was resolved it was difficult to see how the Government’s commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 could be achieved.

·         The disposal of batteries by electric car users was another issue which needed to be addressed on a national basis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.