Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed,

·         Low Emissions Transport Strategy,

·         Electric Vehicle Strategy,

·         Travel Plan Good Practice Guide and

·         Car Club Guide

  be adopted and become part of the Surrey Transport Plan.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Highways, Transport & Environment to agree future revisions to the Low Emissions Transport Strategy, Electric Vehicle Strategy, Travel Plan Good Practice Guide and Car Club Guide in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure the Council’s transport policies and activities support a sustainable economy and environment and improves the health of Surrey residents.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Environment Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport introduced this report that outlined the Council’s approach to reducing transport-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions through the addition of two new strategies to the Surrey Transport Plan, the Low Emissions Transport Strategy and Electric Vehicle Strategy.  These strategies supported the Council’s 2030 vision that residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities.  Supplementary advice documents on car clubs and travel planning for new developments which supported sustainable development were also presented.

He explained how transport was key to supporting the Surrey economy and residents’ ability to travel where and when needed.  However, vehicle emissions were a key cause of environmental and public health concerns. Tackling these problems involved a variety of stakeholders, including the Council, borough and district councils, Government, businesses and residents. 

He went on to thank the Environment Select Committee for their recommendations which had been included in the report.

The Chairman of the Environment Select Committee stated that she was pleased that all recommendations put forward had been accepted.  She also requested that a business champion be appointed to take a lead on the quality of electric charging installations.

There was some discussion around electric charging points with regards to numbers, cost of charging, locations, the national grid capacity, the variety of charging points and whether the Council’s website could host an interactive map showing where and what was available in the county.  The Cabinet Member for Environment responded that Government grants were available for residents wanting their own charging point. He also said that all borough and district councils in Surrey now have a policy on charging points for new properties.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed,

·         Low Emissions Transport Strategy,

·         Electric Vehicle Strategy,

·         Travel Plan Good Practice Guide and

·         Car Club Guide

  be adopted and become part of the Surrey Transport Plan.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Highways, Transport & Environment to agree future revisions to the Low Emissions Transport Strategy, Electric Vehicle Strategy, Travel Plan Good Practice Guide and Car Club Guide in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure the Council’s transport policies and activities support a sustainable economy and environment and improves the health of Surrey residents.