Cabinet Member for Communities, Health and Wellbeing.
Decision:
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet noted the extensive work undertaken by officers to date to consider the viability of an electric bus rural transport scheme across the District.
1.2 To approve the officer recommendation to pause the delivery of this project in order to allow more time to collate evidence to support the viability of a pilot scheme as limited evidence of successful schemes has been available to date across the local area and across the UK, accepting that further agreement with Gateway 14 Board may be required if the final scheme is linked to G14 delivery.
REASON FOR DECISION
The Sustainable travel officer and a sustainable travel intern carried out extensive research on existing electric vehicle passenger transport services, gathering information on different types of delivery models from local, regional and national case studies. As the rollout of electric vehicles in respect of community-based services is a relatively new concept, most of the case studies found are currently running as pilots, and evidence to support long term sustainability does not exist.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
Cabinet are asked to consider whether the spending/delivery associated with this project should be paused for up to six months, for the reasons outlined in this report.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
89.1 The Chair, Councillor Morley invited Councillor Richardson to introduce the report, as the Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, Councillor Flatman had forwarded apologies for this meeting.
89.2 Councillor Richardson introduced the report and proposed that recommendations 3.3 be removed and that recommendation 3.2 be amended to:
To approve the officer recommendation to pause the delivery of this project in order to allow more time to collate evidence to support the viability of a pilot scheme as limited evidence of successful schemes has been available to date across the local area and across the UK, accepting that further agreement with Gateway 14 Board may be required if the final scheme is linked to G14 delivery.
89.3 Councillor Richardson then moved recommendation 3.1 and 3.2 as proposed, which was seconded by Councillor Whitehead.
89.4 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting regarding the Gateway 14 Travel Plan Councillor Richardson responded that the travel plan was a condition of the Planning application. The Sustainable Travel Officer confirmed that the travel plan was based on the occupation of The Range, which was due to be in Summer 2024.
89.5 In response to further questions from other Members attending the meeting Councillor Richardson responded that the lead time for purchasing EV buses would be variable depending on the model chosen. The Working Group had recommended that the EV Bus Scheme was paused until further evidence was available from other similar schemes nationally, as there was not enough evidence to work with for this kind of scheme. With regards to the funding of the scheme Transport of London were not currently funding the scheme, so the cost would be carried by the Council. There would be some Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) available in connection with the planning application for The Range.
89.6 During the debate Councillor Fleming thanked Officers for the extensive work undertaken for the project and stated that the Council was not ready to commit funding to this type of service yet. However, as this area developed in relation to vehicles, greener fuel options and technology, the Council would be considering options for improving transport to rural areas.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet noted the extensive work undertaken by officers to date to consider the viability of an electric bus rural transport scheme across the District.
1.2 To approve the officer recommendation to pause the delivery of this project in order to allow more time to collate evidence to support the viability of a pilot scheme as limited evidence of successful schemes has been available to date across the local area and across the UK, accepting that further agreement with Gateway 14 Board may be required if the final scheme is linked to G14 delivery.
REASON FOR DECISION
To meet the obligations set out in the funding agreement between the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) and Mid Suffolk District Council in relation to the Shared Ownership Affordable Homes Programme 2016-2021
Supporting documents: