Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 24, 2025

Purpose: To approve the Strategic Procurement Plan for the provision of Electric Vehicle Chargepoints in residential streets across the borough.

Content: RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the Strategic Procurement Plan (CONFIDENTIAL ANNEX A) for a 15-year concession contract to install, manage and maintain EV charge points with the option to extend for a further three periods of 5 years each.

Reasons for the decision: i.       The council currently provides 52 publicly available charging sockets, mainly in council owned car parks. This new contract aims to provide a minimum of 400 charging sockets in residential streets within the borough, to help meet the expected demand for charging from EV owners without private off-street parking.   ii.     The government Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has provided £326,000 funding towards the overall costs of the BFC scheme to help attract a supplier.   iii.    The council does not have sufficient budget to purchase and manage charge points at scale, or the necessary expertise. Therefore, a concession contract for this provision is considered the most appropriate solution and this approach is being adopted nationally by local authorities.

Alternative options considered: The alternative options considered are:   ·       To purchase EV charging points and take the revenue from users to pay for their on-going maintenance – this is rejected as there is no budget available for the excessive up-front capital costs (400 sockets could cost in the region of £4million to purchase and install).   ·       Not to provide EV charging points – this was rejected as it would harm the ability to deliver the council’s net zero aims and objectives of the Local Transport Plan.