Agenda item

To provide an update on the progress of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Point Trials happening across Surrey as the project moves into the final pre-installation phase.

Member approval is required to delegate decision making powers to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member(s) to approve the final five sites upon completion of the consultation feedback review to install EV charging point units.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE to:

(i)            Approved the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging points in Summers Road (Godalming), Hale Road (Farnham) and St. Christopher’s Green (Haslemere) in line with the proposals set out in the consultation

(ii)          Agreed that Electric Vehicle Charging Points be installed in 1 or 2 of the following: High Park Road (Farnham), Croft Road (Godalming) or Falkner Road (Farnham) in line with the proposals set out in the consultation, and to delegate approval for which sites to progress to the Transport Strategy Project Manager in line with the recommendations by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and appropriate Divisional Members

(iii)         Agreed that NO Electric Vehicle Charging Points be installed in Wey Hill (Haslemere), Windrush Close (Bramley) or Brighton Road (Godalming)

(iv)         Delegated approval of any future sites required for potential Phase 2 trial to the Transport Strategy Project Manager in line with the recommendations by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and appropriate Divisional Members, where a decision on sites needs to be made prior to the next Local Committee meeting.

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Steve Howard, SCC Transport Strategy Project Manager.

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.

The item was introduced by the Transport Strategy Project Manager presenting a summary of the consultation responses relating to the recent public consultation on Electric Vehicle Charging points in Waverley (Annex C). Based on these responses, the Transport Strategy Project Manager presented a revised set of recommendations for the Committee to consider (also set out in Annex C) which would enable the progression of supported locations.

Member discussion – key points:

• In line with comments at the last meeting, the Members welcomed the introduction of Electric Vehicle Charging points in Waverley, and stated a wish to progress with this as quickly as possible in line with residents views.
• It was noted that the locations that were proposed within the consultation had been identified following conversations with the Parking Team and Area Highways Managers (about preferred sites) and Power Companies (regarding practicalities).
• Members were pleased with the resident consultation outcome relating to Summers Road and supported the implementation of charging sites there, but stated that implementing charging points in Croft Road, Godalming would be more challenging
• There was agreement that the two sites Windrush Close (Bramley) and Brighton Road (Godalming) should not be taken forward based on resident responses. It was also agreed that Wey Hill site in Haslemere should not progress due to the proximity to the proposed site at St. Christopher’s Green.
• There was a discussion regarding the nature of the response to the Hale Road proposal, and how that had been taken into consideration in the proposals.
• It was agreed not to make a decision on the additional 1 or 2 sites where further investigation was required, and that discussion with local members would take place after the meeting to determine which of the remaining three sites would be taken forward as part of Phase 1.
• As part of the discussion, there was general agreement that the best place to locate charging points would be within car parks, and that Waverley Borough Council was looking at this. With this, it was noted that officers from Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council were discussing how to ensure that there was as much consistency relating to the way these charging points operated across the borough, with the note that some of these car parks were within conservation areas which had an impact on the type and design of the physical charging points.
• It was requested that Members liaised with the Transport Strategy Project Manager to discuss possible sites within their divisions for Phase 2 of the pilot, following a conversation regarding the wish for sites in Cranleigh & Ewhurst, and further sites in Farnham & Haslemere.

The Local Committee (Waverley):  

    (i)        Approved the installation of Electric Vehicle Charging points in Summers Road (Godalming), Hale Road (Farnham) and St. Christopher’s Green (Haslemere) in line with the proposals set out in the consultation

   (ii)        Agreed that Electric Vehicle Charging Points be installed in 1 or 2 of the following: High Park Road (Farnham), Croft Road (Godalming) or Falkner Road (Farnham) in line with the proposals set out in the consultation, and to delegate approval for which sites to progress to the Transport Strategy Project Manager in line with the recommendations by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and appropriate Divisional Members

  (iii)        Agreed that NO Electric Vehicle Charging Points be installed in Wey Hill (Haslemere), Windrush Close (Bramley) or Brighton Road (Godalming)

 (iv)        Delegated approval of any future sites required for potential Phase 2 trial to the Transport Strategy Project Manager in line with the recommendations by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and appropriate Divisional Members, where a decision on sites needs to be made prior to the next Local Committee meeting.