Purpose

Approval to receive additional CRSTS and LEVI
funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and spend the
funding on the proposed Greater Manchester EVCI Concessionary
Contract

Content

The Cabinet considered
a report of the Director of Economy and Place which sought to
provide an update on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for
the Borough of Rochdale. The report also sought agreement to accept
grant in excess of £500k in order to procure for Electric
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.
 
The Senior Highways
Officer (Strategy) was in attendance to
present the information and to address the questions and the
comments of the Cabinet Members.
 
Resolved:
1.   
That it be agreed that the Council receive external grant funding
in excess of £500,000 to deliver electric vehicle charging
infrastructure within the City Regional Sustainable Transport
Settlement (CRSTS) and Low Emission Vehicle fund (LEVI); all as
detailed in the report;
2.   
That it be agreed that Council Officers in Economy & Place
in

consultation with Officers in Corporate
Services be given delegated authority to prepare and submit
Business Cases to TfGM for the expenditure of CRSTS and LEVI
grants;
3.   
That it be agreed that TfGM be authorised to undertake procurement
and deliver the programme of works within the funds and that
authority to procure, award and sign any contracts for Rochdale
Council associated with the procurement of the Concession Agreement
be delegated to the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance in
consultation with the Director of Economy & Place and the
Portfolio Holder for Highways and Facilities Management;
4.   
That it be agreed to enter into and to delegate authority to sign
a

Collaboration Memorandum of Understanding to the Assistant Director
of Legal and Governance with the other nine GM Councils and
GMCA/TfGM to clarify the rights, responsibilities and obligations
of the Councils in relation to delivery of the LEVI Programme that
are required to maintain delivery momentum in line with OZEV
funding agreements.
 
Reason for
decision:
The Council’s
scheme of delegation required approval to receive grant funding in
excess of £500,000. Approval was required to procure works in
excess of £500,000. To ensure that project timelines
could be met via appropriate
delegations, specifically the requirement to publish the tender
before 23rd February 2025. To benefit from working collaboratively
and the economies of scale from being part of the GM Combined
Authority.
 
Alternatives
considered and rejected:
The Council could
enter into its own contractual agreements, however due to the time,
cost and complexity of this exercise, it
was recommended that a collaborative approach was taken across
Greater Manchester.
The Council would also
not be able to benefit from the Greater Manchester wide procurement
activity on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.