Agenda item - Fleet Strategy

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that the Fleet Strategy 2020-2030 (appx 1) and Action Plan (appx 2) are adopted.

2)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that the model of centralised purchasing through the Fleet Service using unsupported borrowing is continued as opposed to leasing.

3)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that approval for £1 million of additional capital investment funded from unsupported borrowing is agreed for 2021/22 to enable the decarbonisation of the council’s refuse vehicle fleet on the basis that borrowing costs are repaid from savings in the Fleet revenue budget.

40.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that sought approval for the corporate Fleet Strategy 2020-2030

40.2      Councillor Appich welcomed the report and asked if progress could be quicker and if there were any financial implications to the introduction of ‘new’ carbon by buying fleet rather than retrofitting.

40.3      The Head of Fleet Management stated that the programme could be accelerated but that would be subject to decisions on budgets and financing. Older vehicles could be retrofitted but would still not be fit for purpose and newer vehicles did not cost much more than retrofitting and would be more suitable.

40.4      Councillor Wares enquired as to the intention to dispose of the current fleet, the cut off point by which charging infrastructure would be required and details on the battery replacement programme.

40.5      In response, the Head of Fleet Management clarified that vehicles that could be refurbished and reused would be but there would be a certain amount of disposal of the existing fleet, that there were already five charging points at the Depot and options on infrastructure were still being reviewed including the potential use of hydrogen power. Further, it was clarified that battery lie was around ten years however, individual cells could be replaced that would extend that lifespan.

40.6      Councillor Lloyd stated that electric vehicles were a stepping stone to hydrogen powered vehicles once its production became ‘greener’ and an annual review was sensible based the ever changing developments in technology.

40.7      RESOLVED-

1)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that the Fleet Strategy 2020-2030 (appx 1) and Action Plan (appx 2) are adopted.

2)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that the model of centralised purchasing through the Fleet Service using unsupported borrowing is continued as opposed to leasing.

3)             That the committee recommends to Policy & Resources Committee that approval for £1 million of additional capital investment funded from unsupported borrowing is agreed for 2021/22 to enable the decarbonisation of the council’s refuse vehicle fleet on the basis that borrowing costs are repaid from savings in the Fleet revenue budget.