Agenda item

Report of the Head of Community Services

It was reported that due to a technical issue, annexe A of the report had not been published as part of the agenda papers in relation to this item. Copies were made available to all members of the Committee ahead of the meeting and the document had since been published alongside all the meeting papers. The Chairman invited the Head of Community Services to explain the content of annexe A which effectively was an executive summary of all the other annexes which members had previously received with the agenda. Members were invited to make a decision as to whether they wished to take some time to read the document or to continue with the meeting given this explanation and the fact that a summary of the document would also be provided as part of the presentation. It was agreed that the meeting be continued without the need for an adjournment.

The Head of Community Services set out his report on the draft Fleet Management Strategy and invited comments on the proposals which included the purchase of electric vehicles to replace diesel vehicles and the options for replacement diesel. Members were also invited to comment on the future potential location of the Waste and Parks depots which would help support a growing district and enable technology infrastructure investment to support the zero carbon agenda. In order to provide more clarity and detail around these issues, the Committee received a comprehensive presentation.

Councillor Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services advised that the report offered a sensible and pragmatic approach and enabled the Council to adopt the more advanced technologies as they evolve. He invited the Committee’s views. 

The Committee felt that it was a well-researched report and they largely agreed with the findings and gave their support to the conclusions. There was some concern about the sustainability of palm oil and the use of land for growing crops for fuel as opposed to for consumption. It was explained that the product is not grown in fields but is recycled from waste product from food manufacturing. An example of this is cooking oil, and it was reiterated that there would be no procurement of any product containing palm oil.

Questions were asked around the likely timescale for the introduction of hydrogen technology and the reported emissions of nitrogen dioxide and whether these were based on emissions from the fuel or the brakes and tyres. It was reported that the Government had released a strategy on hydrogen technology which it was hoped would increase the demand and hence bring forward its availability. The technology is growing fast and 2023/24 is an early estimate. The nitrogen dioxide emissions were based on the fuel; and new technology was awaited to enable the manufacture of improved tyres and brakes.

Further questions were asked in relation to the costs of the electric charging points for those members of staff who park the vehicles at their home, the range of an electric vehicle in a rural district, the lifecycle of the production of a battery and the benefits of purchasing against leasing the vehicles.

In response to these questions, it was noted that the cost of a home charger was in the region of £500 and the staff member would be reimbursed for the cost of any electricity used. These vehicles are not used for personal use, but enables the staff members to go straight out on a job to save on time and mileage. The journeys of the refuse vehicles are constantly reviewed to make sure that they travel around the district in the most sustainable way possible. In terms of the lifecycle of a battery, it was acknowledged that whilst there might be some environmental issues at present, all manufacturers had been given the same target to be zero carbon by 2050 so they will need to make changes; and we would also being asking pertinent questions as part of the procurement process. The financial appraisals have demonstrated that purchasing the vehicles is more financially viable than leasing given that a good price is achieved when selling the vehicles as they hold their value well.

The Committee agreed with the report’s conclusion that this issue needed to be kept under constant review, especially with regard to new technologies.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED:- That the draft Fleet Management Strategy and action plan be supported and that the comments of the Committee be conveyed to Cabinet ahead of its decision.