Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council’s current position regarding on-street electrical vehicle charging be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee consults with other local authorities to discuss how they have addressed the matter and to learn from their advice and experience. 

Councillor David Healey (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy) gave a verbal update on the Council’s current position regarding on-street electrical vehicle charging that had been provided to him by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the Regional Transport Strategy. He referred to the challenges associated with on-street charging and the infrastructure to enable electric car users to charge their vehicles within designated locations across the County. 

Councillor Ibbotson expressed a number of concerns and referred to cable gulleys, capital costs, and ongoing maintenance costs.  He asked the Cabinet Member if there would be support for conducting a trial on the provision of EV charging points for on street parking.  The Cabinet Member responded that in his view the costs associated with conducting a trial would be prohibitive given the Council’s current financial position.

In response to the further concerns expressed by Councillor Dan Rose, Councillor David Healey confirmed that running charging cables across the pavement was not permitted in Flintshire at the current time. 

Councillor Hodge queried the current take up and level of charges within the EV chargers in the Council’s public car parks, compared to other providers.

Councillor Copple suggested modelling information on the impacts of a household switching to, for example, a heat pump, and also requiring energy for an EV charger – and how that would affect the grid capacity and associated costs to the household.

Councillor Chrissy Gee proposed that the Committee consulted with other local authorities to discuss how they addressed the matter and to learn from their advice and experience.  Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson seconded the proposal and when put to the vote the proposal was carried.

Councillor Dave Hughes (Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the Regional Transport Strategy), suggested that a Task and Finish Group be set up to feedback recommendations to the Committee.

Councillor Healey expressed concerns around provision in rural areas and commented on the larger carbon footprint due to the lack of access to services and facilities and inconsistency around the public transport network.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council’s current position regarding on-street electrical vehicle charging be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee consults with other local authorities to discuss how they have addressed the matter and to learn from their advice and experience.