Agenda item

Purpose: to provide an update on the initiative to install Electric Vehicle Chargepoints in West Berkshire Council Car Parks and recommend a charging strategy (fees and charges) for their operation.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 16) providing an update on the initiative to install Electric Vehicle Chargepoints in West Berkshire Council Car Parks and recommended a charging strategy (fees and charges) for their operation.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Richard Somner and seconded by Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter:

“That the Council:

(a)       Adopts the following fees and charges in 2021/22 for its public chargepoints included in Phase 1 (both those already installed and those due to be installed), and that these charges should be reviewed on an annual basis:

·                For the ‘Rapid’ Charger, 39p per kWh with an overstay fee of £10 an hour after 2 hours.

·                For the ‘Fast’ Chargers, 30p per kWh.

(b)       Agrees that the setting of the annual Fees and Charges for the Chargepoints becomes part of the Council’s annual Fees and Charges approval process as of 2022/23.”

Councillor Richard Somner recommended approval of the Motion as it supported the ongoing delivery of the Council’s Environment Strategy and continued the excellent track record to date on electric vehicle charging options. The Council has committed to expanding the charging network across the district, and the clarification of fees and charges is a necessary step in that process. Phase 2 of the chargepoint installations could also commence and include the remaining car parks in the Council’s portfolio, expressions of interest from Parish Councils, and rapid chargepoints being installed in various locations.

Councillor Adrian Abbs indicated his support of the right type of charging points being placed in as many public places as possible but expressed his concern that charging a high pence per kilowatt price is not the best way to fund the installation of the charging points.

Councillor Tony Vickers indicated his support for the increase in chargepoints but highlighted the 36 on-street charging points in the District which he suggested are under-utilised due to not being designated electric vehicle spaces only. Councillor Vickers stated that the Council could be doing more to assist residents in moving to electric vehicles which would help lower emissions and support the government’s aims.

Councillor David Marsh referred to the on-street charging points as having been put in the wrong place because other residents with non-electric vehicles park in them, however designating them as a dedicated space would resolve this matter. Councillor Marsh also noted that there are currently no electric vehicles being used as taxis in the district and no charging points in taxi ranks, and suggested that the Council could have a more dynamic approach to addressing the climate emergency.

Councillor Jeff Brooks queried why this item could not be subject to call in given there was no urgency on a matter of the budget. Ms Sarah Clarke advised that items reserved for decision by Council in law or within the agreed Budget and Policy Framework are not subject to the call in procedures.

Councillor Alan Macro referred to the importance of having as many charging points as possible across the district, and expressed his disappointment that the report did not address the issue of parking charges. Councillor Macro asked that overnight fees for those charging electric vehicles be waived.

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter referred to the cost of owning an electric vehicle and highlighted that there are not very many currently in the district. He suggested that the cost per hour of public chargepoints is not a significant consideration when purchasing an electric vehicle, unless the purchaser is unable to charge at home. Councillor Ardagh-Walter also confirmed that the issue of parking spaces will be addressed in the coming months and years as part of the longer term programme. The recommendations in the report are an immediate enabler for charging points, and the Council is doing what it can to encourage take-up, but market forces and the prices of electric vehicles will be a major determinant.

Councillor Richard Somner summed up and confirmed he had noted the points raised during the debate that were not relevant to the report. 

An indicative vote of all Members present in the Chamber and those attending remotely suggested that the passing of the Motion would be supported. 

The Motion was put to the vote of the Members present in the Chamber and duly RESOLVED.