Issue - meetings

To adopt the Green Fleet Plan 2023-28 (seen in Appendix 1), and it was agreed:

·       that the Council's Departments are not to buy, renew, or dispose of any
vehicles before first discussing their requirements with the Fleet Manager, and
obtaining his consent.

·       that it is necessary to create a corporate pool system instead of
Departmental ones.

·       that the Fleet Manager is to lead the work of weeding out the existing stock
of Council vehicles and create a vehicle structure for each Department.

The report was submitted by Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones  

DECISION 

The Green Fleet Plan 2023-28 (seen in Appendix 1) was adopted and it was agreed:  

·       that the Council's Departments are not to buy, renew, or dispose of any vehicle before first discussing its needs with the Fleet Manager, and obtaining his consent;  

·       that it is necessary to create a corporate pool system instead of Departmental ones; 

·       that the Fleet Manager is to lead the work of weeding out the existing stock of Council vehicles and creating a vehicle structure for each Department. 
 

DISCUSSION  

The report was presented with reference to the Council's Climate Change Emergency announcement in March 2019 that led to the publication of the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan by the Cabinet in March 2022 which set a target that the Council would be net-zero carbon by 2023. It was noted that the Green Fleet Plan included several projects to assist to realise this objective by reducing carbon emissions deriving from using the Council's Fleet.  It was noted that there was an associated cost but a much higher cost would derive from doing nothing. 

This Plan regarding the vision of the Fleet Service was submitted to the Climate Change and Nature Board in November 2022, and it was agreed that the Plan would be  submitted to the Cabinet for approval. It was reported that a considerable amount of work needed to be achieved and any delay may affect the work programme to achieve the aim.  

Some of the aspects of the plan were highlighted by the Head of Highways and Municipal. Reference was made to the targets set by the Welsh Government and the requirement to change the system in terms of how the Council purchases vehicles.  By 2030 there was an expectation that any small vehicles the Council buys have low emissions.    

There was mention of the size of the Council's Fleet which comprises around 550 vehicles across the County that include a wide range of different vehicles.  Reference was made to the steps that will be followed by the Service including weeding out work in terms of reviewing vehicles and challenging if there was an actual need for the vehicle in the first place. Innovative work would then follow by revisiting the technology available and then renovation work that will include setting out the direction the Council wishes to follow with the Fleet Plan.    

It was noted that the Service work programme was included in the report.  Reference was made to other developments being undertaken such as trialling and joint developments such as the Hydrogen Use Plan led by Flintshire County Council for heavy vehicles.  

Observations arising from the discussion 

·                  There were no observations apart from wishing the Department and Fleet Service all the best and it was stated that it was important work in terms of the Council's efforts to reduce emissions.