Agenda item
On Street Parking Management of larger vehicles and an update on Electric Vehicle Charging
This report informs the committee how the Council manages larger vehicles parked on street in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and is implementing an electric vehicle charging network within the borough.
Minutes:
At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Tatler (Lead Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning) introduced the report detailing the use of on-street parking management processes and updating members on the four electric vehicle charging point (EVCP) implementation programmes currently underway.
The report highlighted that the council regulated and charged for on street parking to: manage demand from residents, businesses and visitors; assist the smooth flow of traffic; reduce the number of vehicle trips, particularly at peak times; and encourage the uptake of sustainable travel options. Demand for parking in Brent was very high and there were currently 40 controlled parking zones in the borough – approximately 35% of the borough. The Wembley Stadium Protective Parking Scheme (WSPPS) covered a further 35% of the borough. The remaining 30% of the borough did not have area wide parking controls. In April 2017 the council introduced a revised carbon emissions-based residents’ permit scheme to encourage residents to purchase low emissions vehicles. Furthermore, following consultation in 2016, the council was due to implement a reduction in the maximum weight of 3.5t for resident parking permits.
With regard to delivering the EVCP network, the report set out that the council’s approach was informed by the locations of registered electric or hybrid vehicles, as well as the need to have minimum impact on the ever increasing pressure for parking. There was not a single overarching delivery programme for charging infrastructure and therefore, the different types of charges (Source London, Rapid Chargers and GULCS lamp column) were being implemented under an overarching strategic umbrella by Highways and Infrastructure and Transportation Planning, ensuring all types of electric vehicle users could access the charging network.
In the subsequent discussion, members: questioned the risk of the EVCP technology becoming obsolete over the contract period; sought an update on the usage of the charging points to date; and queried if any modelling had been undertaken with regard to air quality and electric car usage in the borough. Comment was sought on the ways in which the council could encourage the scrappage of diesel cars and promote the use of electric vehicles. Members questioned whether various commercial opportunities, such as the provision of finance or working directly with producers to promote particular vehicles, had been considered. It was further queried whether the local authority could implement a carbon levy on carbon intensive local businesses via for example, powers granted under the Localism Act, to subsidise a local scrappage scheme. It was emphasised that the council should be promoting their role in providing the EVCP network for the borough and consideration should be given to the application of the council logo to the charging points. Members questioned whether the providers of the charging points used electricity from renewable sources. Members sought an estimate on the length of time from resident request to installation of an EVCP and questioned whether any consideration had been given to further lowering the minimum weight for vehicles eligible for resident permits. Members raised concerns about commercial vehicles being parked in residential areas and questioned what could be done to address this issue. In concluding their questioning, members sought assurance that any council owned vehicles were electric.
In response, Councillor Tatler advised that primarily it was the responsibility of the business owner to ensure that their product was future proofed and that the technology remained relevant to consumers. The council also included within the agreements with the providers the issue of future-proofing the EVCPs. Conversations were also underway with the providers to place the council logo on the charging columns to promote the council’s investment in delivering the EVCP network in the borough. Furthermore, the council was also working on placing the council logo on the Zip car fleet. An associated communications plan for the new charging points, including an article in the Brent magazine and also covering the app which needed to be used to access the EVCPs, was in place.
Councillor Tatler further confirmed that an assessment of the possible options for encouraging the scrappage of diesel cars and the promotion of electric cars, would be provided to the committee following the meeting, including use of powers under the Localism Act. A scrappage scheme for micro businesses was currently in place and the Mayor of London was due to be announcing a scrappage scheme for people on lower incomes. Councillor Tattler cautioned that it was important to be mindful of the impact of placing further pressure on businesses in some sectors.
Tony Kennedy (Head of Highways and Infrastructure) advised that it was not known whether the providers of the EVCPs used renewable sources of electricity and this would subsequently be confirmed to the committee. Information would also be provided to the committee on the usage of the EVCPs, where available. Work could be undertaken to provide the committee with an estimate of the improvements to air quality that could be achieved with an increased use of electric cars, over petrol and diesel cars in the borough. Councillor Tatler emphasised that the council was being politically and strategically ambitious in this area and was keen to tackle challenges head-on. The delivery of the EVCP network was still at the early stages and in six months’ time the council would be better placed to evaluate the impacts of the programme.
Tony Kennedy further explained that following the request for a charging point, a resident could expect to wait between four and six months before installation, depending on the grants available. Amar Dave (Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment) explained that this was a rapidly changing field with more and more car manufacturers confirming a move to electric vehicles in the next few years, as well as other companies developing technologies to retrofit existing vehicles. It was anticipated that from 2021 there would be a noticeable increase in the use of electric vehicles in London and Brent would be at the forefront of supporting the EVCP network.
Discussing the minimum vehicle weights permitted for residents parking permits, Councillor Tatler confirmed that the fee increased for cars above 2.5 tonnes and significantly, there were a number of different fee categories depending on engine size and car emissions. The focus of the scheme was very much to deter the most polluting vehicles. Addressing concerns regarding commercial vehicles being parked in residential roads in the borough, Tony Kennedy emphasised that the Controlled Parking Zones were an effective management tool, but where these did not exist, it was difficult to address this issue. Councillor Tatler added that it was necessary to take a nuanced approach to this matter as for some self-employed residents, such vehicles supported their livelihoods. Tony Kennedy explained that the council did not have its own fleet of vehicles and the fleet of home to school transport vehicles shared with harrow was not electric. However, this contract was due to expire in 2023 and consideration would be given to this issue in preparation for the necessary recommissioning. Councillor Tatler highlighted the carbon offsetting fund, which was drawn from developers via the planning process. Currently the size of this was quite small but the council was exploring how best to use these funds, with consideration being given to ideas such as planting more street trees, installing green walls and solar panels.
During the discussion, members requested that the following information, which was not available to be shared at the meeting, be provided to the committee subsequently:
· Confirmation of whether the council’s EVCP providers use renewable sources of electricity.
RESOLVED:
The Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee recommended:
i) That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment and the Lead Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning, ensure an options appraisal is undertaken on how the council can encourage diesel scrappage and support residents in the start-up costs of changing to electric vehicles, and that this appraisal include consideration of commercial opportunities for the council.
ii) That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment ensure information is provided to the committee on the usage levels of EVCPs in the borough.
iii) That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment note the committee’s view that when the council next procures a fleet of vehicles these should be electric vehicles.
iv) That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment and the Lead Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning, ensures the council explores what powers the council has to introduce a carbon levy on local businesses.
Supporting documents: