Item for information

The Committee received a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods which outlined the Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Infrastructure Strategy and how it was intended to work in conjunction with the Local Transport Plan and Rochdale Council’s vision for a shift to a more sustainable transport methods.

The Senior Highways Officer attended the meeting to present the information and to address the questions and comments of the Committee.

The Officer informed that the draft strategy focused on the infrastructure elements to support the EV usage. The strategy would be rolled out in Rochdale across three years, with the consideration that EV charges technology changed rapidly and the Council needed to be able to adapt to changes and ensure flexibility in delivering the strategy through its regular review, to adapt to changes in modal choice, innovation and funding.

The Officer continued informing that the draft strategy had been produced in consultation with the EV Working Group formed by representatives of several Council’s services and the relevant portfolio holders.

The Officer noted that the cost of the infrastructure was significant and grant funding had been accessed through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The government expected that a relevant proportion of the demand for EV charges would be met by the private sector (e.g.: supermarkets, petrol stations, car parks, etc.). Currently, EV charges had been delivered in Heywood, Rochdale Leisure Centre and Middleton. There were some issues with the Pennines Township as where to locate the EV charges as the initial plan for Hollingworth Lake had not been successful due to the electricity grid not being able to support the new infrastructure.

Members sought and received clarification / commented on the following pints:

-       High number of terrace houses in Rochdale and implication for the implementation of EV charges; at present it was not legal to trail a cable across the footway;

-       EV charges funding – this was based grant funding system and Councils in GM had to apply through GMCA;

-       Members welcomed regular review of the strategy;

-       Cost of electricity – EV Charges scheme in GM started in 2013 and Transport for Greater Manchester set up a small company to run and manage the scheme. Subsequently, the scheme had been contracted out to a company with the clause not to increase the charges without consulting TfGM first.

-       Street charging and trip hazard – mitigating the issue – work was ongoing to purchase pre-made slot drainage that allowed cables to go through. Considerations were made about legal responsibility for this project;

-       Option to use Council’s land to create electric charging hubs;

-        Council’s Planning department involvement in the EV Charges strategy – building control regulations had changed and new properties have to have EV charges;

-       Local Transport Plan and criteria used to address future demand – Government foreseeing private sector taking over;

-       Risks considered – implications of residents paying for EV charges and perceived ownership of parking spaces;

-        Community car parks and scale of demand;

-       Petrol stations and planning rules not to lose valuable sites;

The Officer welcomed the comments and questions of the Committee as this would be included in the report for Cabinet which would be asked to approve the EV Charges Strategy in the near future.

Resolved:

1.    That it be noted that a range of chargers are currently available in the market place;

2.    That the Committee endorse the principle that a combination of all charges available are used in different locations to meet the varying demand for EV charging across the borough;

3.    That the Committee recommend that planning rules be put in place not to lose petrol stations as valuable sites.