Agenda item
To update Members
of the Scrutiny Committee on the progress and plans for the introduction of
public charging points.
Decision:
Minutes:
The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, the
Assistant Head of Environment and the Traffic and Projects Service Manager.
Attention was drawn briefly to the following main points:
It was explained that the Council was involved in a challenging and
technical project to install over 100 charging points in 25 sites across
Gwynedd, with 16 of those including rapid charging points. It was explained
that the Department was offering its staff new training opportunities to
install charging points themselves, rather than contracting the work to an
external company.
It was reported that this project was split into five parts, and the
installation of the charging points was the first step. It was noted that this
was the only step that the Council could deliver independently and that it was
dependent upon other bodies to collaborate on the other steps to complete the
project. It was explained that this had caused a significant delay with the
project to date, as a number of charging points had
been installed but had not yet been connected to the network. Assurance was
given that the Department had learnt from these challenges and was confident
that the difficulties would not arise with the future implementation of the
project.
It was noted that the Council had received positive responses to a
recent letter regarding the availability of community charging points. It was
acknowledged that it was impossible for everyone to charge their cars at home
as some houses did not have a convenient parking space, or when the location of
the parking space was difficult to connect. It was reported that there were
plans for community charging points in the future.
Disappointment was expressed that the Government had changed its target
date for banning petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
It was confirmed that consultation was an important part of the process,
as gathering feedback from the users of charging points was crucial. It was
explained that the feedback already received from charging point users was
positive. Feedback was gathered when users finished using a charging point, and
their responses were sent to an internal system under the Council's control.
In response to a question regarding the Council's consultations with
housing associations on charging points, the Assistant Head of Environment
confirmed that the main emphasis was currently on the existing 25 locations.
However, it was confirmed that the Council had a close relationship with
housing associations and that charging points were included as part of the
Council's Housing Action Plan.
In response to a question regarding payment methods for the charging
point service, the Traffic and Projects Service Manager confirmed that there
were three payment methods. It was detailed that a specific card could be used
for the charging points, through a mobile app, and in future it was hoped that
there would be provision to pay with a normal bank card.
Concerns were shared that there were insufficient metals to produce
batteries for more electric cars and concerns that electric cars would be a
huge burden on the electric network. In response to these observations, it was
recognised that the challenge of encouraging residents in Gwynedd to use
electric cars was significant. However, the Assistant Head of Environment
emphasised that this project was important as part of the climate change and
nature plan's targets.
A question was asked about whether more rapid charging points could be
installed in future, as they were currently very popular. It was acknowledged
that using more rapid charging points was challenging for the electricity
network, but the Department would provide an update to the Committee on this
matter in due course.
Assurance was given that work was being undertaken to develop a business
plan for the charging points. It was noted that this would enable the Council
to consider how to make best use of the money collected from the use of the
charging points, and the possibility of using solar panels to power them. It
was confirmed that several ideas had been presented and that research was being
undertaken to ensure that the best options were chosen. It was added that the
Department would provide a report on the project's progress when
appropriate.
It was acknowledged that this change to electric vehicles was a huge
change for petrol stations. All opportunities to provide support with this
change were welcomed.
RESOLVED
1.
To accept the report, noting the observations
made during the discussion.
2.
To ask the Cabinet Member/Environment Department
to examine the provision of more rapid charging points
3.
To receive a progress report when timely
Supporting documents:
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