Purpose

This report sought approval to adopt a cross-pavement EV charging solutions (XPS) policy for eligible Tameside residents without off-street parking. The policy provided a controlled route for approved in-footway channels to be installed in the adopted highway so that domestic electric vehicle (EV) charging cables can be contained during use, reducing trip and accessibility risks. Approval will also enable the Council to accept and draw down the anticipated £158,695 EV pavement channels grant allocation from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Decision

RESOLVED

(i)                Approval be given to the Cross-Pavement Solutions (XPS) Policy at Appendix 1 and the Eligibility Criteria and Conditions of Use at Appendix 2, and the Officer Site Assessment and Approval Criteria at Appendix 3 for implementation.

(ii)              To authorise acceptance and draw down of the £158,695 TfGM EV pavement channels grant funding allocation, subject to receipt of any remaining formal grant offer and compliance with grant conditions.

(iii)           Approval be given to procurement and delivery of XPS channels up to the value of the available grant allocation, subject to procurement requirements, eligible demand and, site suitability, operational capacity and grant conditions.

(iv)           Delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates and the Assistant Director of Strategic Property, in consultation with the Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity and the Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, to finalise supporting documents and operational arrangements consistent with the approved policy and eligibility criteria.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing / continue with ad-hoc enforcement and an expansion of on-street charging provision: this was not proposed because it would not provide a controlled, consented route for residents without off-street parking to access at-home charging, would not address safety and accessibility risks associated with trailing cables across footways, and would not provide a sufficient council position to support draw-down and effective use of available grant funding. A fully supplier-managed or private-sector-led model was also considered but is not proposed because the council wishes to retain control over works on the adopted highway, installation quality, maintenance and asset records.