Issue - meetings

That the Executive Director (Operational Services) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, to enter into a joint procurement process led by Stoke-on Trent-City Council, as outlined in the report, for the joint procurement of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and network operator for electrified taxi’s and private hire vehicles and public use within the Borough. This is to be funded by the OLEV Electric Taxi Infrastructure grant awarded in 2019 to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stafford Borough Council with a minimum of 25% private sector investment.

A report was submitted to Cabinet informing Members of the successful outcome of the £780,000 bid to OLEV Electric Taxi Infrastructure Scheme and seeking approval of the arrangements to deliver the project within the Borough through working with partners.  There would be a joint procurement process with this Authority, Stoke on Trent city Council and Stafford Borough Council.

The Leader introduced the report advising Members this would allow the Council to put electric charging points in some of its car parks.

The project would feed into the Council’s agenda on climate change and also that of the Air Quality Policy.

Councillor Sweeney welcomed this stating that the Council could not expect drivers to purchase electric cars for use as taxis if there was nowhere to charge them.

Members welcomed the scheme adding that it was a great step forward.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson paid tribute to the officer who had been working on this adding that, of the three Authorities, Newcastle would have the ‘lion’s share’ of charging points.

Resolved:     That the Executive Director (Operational Services) be authorised,

in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, to enter into a joint procurement process led by Stoke-on Trent-City Council, as outlined in the report, for the joint procurement of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and network operator for electrified taxi’s and private hire vehicles and public use within the Borough. This is to be funded by the OLEV Electric Taxi Infrastructure grant awarded in 2019 to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stafford Borough Council with a minimum of 25% private sector investment.