Agenda item - Future Fleet Management Policy

The Director of Economy & Place to present a report which informs Members of the draft Vehicle Management Policy designed to strengthen work to minimise the size of the fleet required to deliver council services, and sets out options for the transition to a green fleet.

Resolved: (i) That the adoption of the draft Vehicle Management Policy at Annex A to the report be noted.

Reason: The policy will formalise the current working practice and strengthen the work to minimise the size of the fleet actually required to deliver council services

(ii) That Option 3 be approved and the transition be commenced to an electric fleet for all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes as part of a four-year programme, by extending the operational life of some existing vehicles, with this to be incorporated into the Fleet Management Policy.

Reason: The transition to an electric fleet will reduce the environmental impact of the council’s operations, and taking a phased approach to this will ensure service quality is maintained.

(iii) That officers be asked to continue to explore the options for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to move away from fossil fuels.

Reason: The alternative fuel technology is evolving rapidly and will be able to support a wide range of tasks undertaken by the council’s vehicles; the green technology for heavier vehicles is still emerging, but wherever viable the greenest possible option will be recommended.

(iv) That an allocation of £50k be requested from the One Planet Council capital budget to fund further development and design work to upgrade Hazel Court to operate an electric fleet.

Reason: Hazel Court Depot will be key in the delivery towards an electric fleet, and this upgrade needs to be progressed prior to the final business case.

Members considered a report of the Director of Economy & Place which informed them of the adoption of a Vehicle Management Policy designed to help minimise the size of the council’s fleet, and set out options for the transition to a green fleet.

The Policy, attached as Annex 1 to the report, had been developed in response to a review undertaken by the Economy & Place Policy Development Committee in 2018. Its focus was on reducing the requirement for vehicles in the first place by enabling under-used assets to be identified, reviewed and re-allocated. Another key part of addressing transport emissions lay in the council’s policy for replacing its existing fleet. The following options available, as detailed in paragraphs 21-46 of the report:

Option 1 – replace all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes with a fossil fuel vehicle. This was the most cost effective option but did not respond to the climate emergency declaration.

Option 2 – replace the fleet of 3.5 tonne vehicles with electric vehicles immediately. This would be costly and may have an impact on service delivery due to current lack of infrastructure.

Option 3 – adopt a phased approach, transitioning to an electric fleet over the next 4 years. This was the recommended option, as it would achieve the objectives of Option 2 while allowing time to plan and restructure services around an electric fleet.

The Executive Member for Transport welcomed the report and the contribution of all parties in bringing forward the proposals. Having also noted the comments of the Labour Group on this item, it was