Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the Electric Vehicle Charging Policy, which Members had first considered at the Special Meeting of the BRC on 31 January 2019. Members noted that, in order to simplify both this and future decision making; there were three separate car parking reports on this agenda, at items 7, 8 and 9.

Members noted that that the installation of current units and associated costs had been funded by the Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) Funding, which would end at the end of March 2019.  Members were also pleased to note that the project had been delivered on time, for implementation on 1 April 2019, and that cards and keys had been issued to users. 

During questions, Members noted that it had been made very clear to EV users that the free period would end on 31 March 2019.  The RCC had also supported the report when they considered it at their AGM in January 2019.  Officers advised that charges had been based on typical, average uses across similar installations and that the consultants had interviewed users.  The City Solicitor reminded Members that pricing reviews fell within the BRC’s Terms of Reference and the Working Party would continue to review the project. 

RESOLVED, that:

1.     The EV Charging users’ quarterly charge of £25 cease when individual charging is implemented on 1^st April 2019 and, from this point forward, EV Charging users would pay only for the  electricity they use.

2.     With effect from 1^st April 2019, EV Charging users be directly billed per kWh of electricity at 25p/kW (14p/kW domestic rate + 11p management levy/kW)

3.     All EV Charging users be assigned a dedicated EV bay, in line with the Car Parking Licence.

4.     Officers progress the additional LEN funding of £17,000 to provide Breton House car park with charging facilities and connections via Smart Technology.

5.     Officers continue to update the Electrical Vehicle Working Party (EVWP), which will carry out a review in respect of usage and the pricing structure and report back to the BRC in September 2019.