Agenda item

(a)       That the Committee supports the proposals that the Authority should act as an ‘enabler’ rather than a direct provider of electricity charging points and should therefore facilitate the upgrade of the existing electricity supply network at economically viable locations on the highway network and other key locations in the County;

(b)       That the Committee supports the strategic locations identified across Flintshire’s own asset portfolio which would require further work to prioritise bids to access any available Welsh Government or national funding to install the necessary electrical infrastructure for charging points at these locations; and

(c)        That the Authority continues to aspire to achieve an “All Electric Fleet” of service vehicles in line with the advancement of battery technology.

The Chief Officer introduced the report to enable the Committee to consider the draft strategy.  He provided background information and referred to the increased demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK and advised that it was essential for the Authority to engage with the new technologies to reduce the risk of public abandonment in terms of tourism, residential development and business growth. 

The Chief Officer advised that the Council had a major role both in developing a strategy to facilitate the implementation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points and in providing opportunities for the introduction of appropriate and effective Charging Points at strategic locations throughout the County.  The Authority would achieve this by making locations available and by ensuring that the local electricity supply network was sufficient to accommodate the additional demand.  This approach would ensure long term sustainability and provide the Council with some potential long term financial benefits from local lease arrangements.  An approved strategy would allow the Council to bid for a funding stream made available by the Welsh and national Governments to help local authorities to secure a network of electric vehicle charging points across the country.

The Chief Officer explained that the Authority could mitigate the risk of impact on its finances by adopting the role of an ‘enabler’ to facilitate the implementation of electric vehicle charging points, rather than assuming the role of a direct provider.  He reiterated that this approach would  allow the Council to enter long term lease agreement with specific suppliers which would provide long term income potential.  This would involve the Authority bidding for available funding from the Welsh Government to upgrade the existing electricity supply network at those sites which have a proven business case.  Sites may also be prioritised due to the potential to integrate ancillary energy facilities such as Solar PV (solar carports, solar arrays) and battery storage.  The Chief Officer reported that it was essential that both urban and rural aspects of the County were considered when facilitating the growth of an EV charging network.

The Chief Officer advised that the Authority current operated a fleet of  around 315 vehicles and whilst it aspired to achieve an all electric fleet the batter technology currently available restricted the range of electric vehicles.  However, the Authority would continue to work with its fleet supplier to monitor opportunities to integrate electric vehicles into its own fleet in line with the advancement of battery technology.

He invited the Network Support Manager to report on the main considerations as detailed in the report and to respond to the questions and comments raised by Members.

Members spoke in support of the proposals that the Authority should act as an ‘enabler’ rather than a direct provider of electricity charging points and should facilitate the upgrade of the existing electricity supply network at economically viable locations on the highway network and other key locations in the County.  Members also supported the strategic locations identified across Flintshire’s own asset portfolio which would require further work to prioritise bids to access any available Welsh Government or national funding to install the necessary electrical infrastructure for charging points at these locations.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the proposals that the Authority should act as an ‘enabler’ rather than a direct provider of electricity charging points and should therefore facilitate the upgrade of the existing electricity supply network at economically viable locations on the highway network and other key locations in the County;

(b)       That the Committee supports the strategic locations identified across Flintshire’s own asset portfolio which would require further work to prioritise bids to access any available Welsh Government or national funding to install the necessary electrical infrastructure for charging points at these locations; and

(c)        That the Authority continues to aspire to achieve an “All Electric Fleet” of service vehicles in line with the advancement of battery technology.