Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th June 2023

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2023 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Further to minute 3/23 headed ‘Bus Update’, in respect of recommendations 2) and 3) the Chair undertook to ensure that the matters were brought to a future meeting of the Board and would identify a meeting date for this purpose, and would also advise Members on the progress of recommendation 4).

Briefing Note of the Director of Transportation, Highways and Sustainability

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a briefing note and presentation of the Director of Transportation and Highways on the progress to date of the roll-out of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points across the city.

There were a number of targets aimed at reducing carbon emissions which had been set at regional, national and international level. Coventry City Council’s own Climate Change Strategy was currently under development and would set an ambitious target of reducing emissions by 2030. The Coventry City Council Transport Strategy, adopted in December 2022, was developed in accordance with these strategies, and acknowledged that significant changes to the way we travel must be taken in order to achieve these targets.

Widespread electrification of public and private travel was one strand of the Coventry City Council Transport Strategy, which aimed to reduce carbon emissions, and also to improve air quality.

Coventry had seen the highest number of installations of EV charging points in the West Midlands by some number and was second only to London in the number of operational charge-points, with 958 charge-points and 1,326 sockets available at October 2023. A further 450 charge-points would be made operational by April 2024.

Coventry was also ahead of the WMCA in the adoption of electric vehicles with 1,597 battery-powered electric cars and LCVs, and a further 1,458 plug-in vehicles, accounting for 1.94% all cars and LCVs. This was slightly behind the UK average of 2.59%.

44 fast-chargers were available at Coventry City Council properties. The Plug-in Coventry project with partner EO Charging was creating a network of fast-chargers available for open use by the public.

There was a multi-stage consultation process which took place once a potential location had been identified involving the publication of a ‘Street News’ newsletter to residents with information about the proposed installation and details of how to respond to consultation. In addition, Ward Councillors were notified of the proposals and given oversight of the Street Newsletter prior to being sent out. Locations were removed following objection with new locations identified and the process begun again. Application to the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) was made for funding and once the grant letter was received, a second Street News was published with further information. Once locations were agreed, National Grid were involved in ensuring an adequate power supply and a letter drop to residents then took place inviting responses to the plan to install a charging-point in their area.

Enforcement - Traffic Regulation Order/Traffic Management Order processes were instigated and followed through, with the accompanying timescales for objection, and a report containing the list of objections and recommendations submitted to the Cabinet Member for consideration, following which, a decision was made.

The presentation highlighted the following:

·  Coventry's Charging Infrastructure Programme

·  Background - first chargers installed September 2018; charger delivery using Office for Zero Emission Vehicle funding, chargepoint operator investment and CCC investment; Coventry residents reliant upon on-street chargepoints for routine charging

·  Strategic context internationally, nationally, regionally and locally

·  Coventry’s Emerging  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator that detailed issues on the Board’s Work Programme for meetings of the Board for 2023/24.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):

1)  Notes the issues on the Board’s Work Programme for 2023/24.

2)  Requests that Progress of EV Charging Stations, including information on work-place EV Charging provision for employees at businesses in Coventry, be added to the Work Programme.

There were no other items of public business.