Issue - meetings

The report seeks endorsement of  Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council’s first Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy that will raise awareness of these high profile and high value corporate assets, communicate governance arrangements to ensure the fulfilment of the councils legal obligations as a vehicle Operator Licence holder whilst detailing the roles and responsibilities of those who operate/maintain them. It will also provide clear decision making processes to deliver an integrated corporate fleet management service.

Underpinning this strategy is the requirement for a sustainable (legally, financially, and environmentally) Fleet Asset Replacement Programme. A financing programme required to fund the replacement of core vehicles, plant and equipment as they come to the end of their economic life.

If approved, this will form the basis of an ambitious council wide Fleet Management De-Carbonising Strategy and Replacement Programme for the next 3 years, 2021 – 2024, that proposes to balance investment in the necessary alternative fuel technology and infrastructure to support a significant increase of 104, from the current 13 Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV) purchased and operated by the council, as well as  a reduction in CO2 emissions of non ULEV’s producing a combined CO2 saving of 3,062 tonnes. This is to support the council’s 2030 carbon neutral declaration against as yet unknowns of the council’s ongoing corporate transformation programme and asset and accommodation strategy.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Members endorsed the Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy, acknowledging the necessity for an initial 3-year phased approach towards achieving an ultra-low emission fleet and the future key infrastructure decisions required that will determine its direction and success;

(b)           Members endorsed the move to using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for conventional diesel throughout the council vehicle fleet. Approving commencement of procurement for the provision of HVO fuel and the supply. This cleaner, less polluting fuel results in a significant CO2 emission reduction;

(c)           Members approved the £0.39m capital spend necessary to fund the supporting infrastructure investment to realise significant increases in ULEV’s purchases, to be funded from capital grant; and

(d)           Members approved the Fleet Replacement Plan 2021 – 2024 and authorise the procurement of the remaining vehicles in the plan as vehicle lives expire.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(e)           approve the use of new prudential borrowing for the Fleet Replacement Plan and recognise the impact of this on the annual revenue budget requirement.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment, Cleansing and Waste

Reason

The proposed Fleet Replacement Plan and Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy set out the vital ambitious foundations towards achieving sustainable fleet management for BCP Council and a commitment towards its ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Failure to approve the Fleet Replacement Plan and associated Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy places the authority at risk as vehicles reach end of life of repeated statutory service failure, associated reputational damage, increased revenue budget pressure and potential for breach of its Operator Licence compliance.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'I' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report sought endorsement of  Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council’s first Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy that will raise awareness of these high profile and high value corporate assets, communicate governance arrangements to ensure the fulfilment of the councils legal obligations as a vehicle Operator Licence holder whilst detailing the roles and responsibilities of those who operate/maintain them, and that in addition it will also provide clear decision making processes to deliver an integrated corporate fleet management service.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that underpinning this strategy is the requirement for a sustainable (legally, financially, and environmentally) Fleet Asset Replacement Programme, and a financing programme required to fund the replacement of core vehicles, plant and equipment as they come to the end of their economic life.

If approved Cabinet was advised that this will form the basis of an ambitious council wide Fleet Management De-Carbonising Strategy and Replacement Programme for the next 3 years, 2021 – 2024, that proposes to balance investment in the necessary alternative fuel technology and infrastructure to support a significant increase of 104, from the current 13 Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV) purchased and operated by the council, as well as  a reduction in CO2 emissions of non ULEV’s producing a combined CO2 saving of 3,062 tonnes. Cabinet was further advised that this will support the council’s 2030 carbon neutral declaration against as yet unknowns of the council’s ongoing corporate transformation programme and asset and accommodation strategy.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet advising that the report had broadly been supported by the Board, but that there had been some discussion regarding the Mayoral vehicle which had resulted in a recommendation being proposed which had been lost when put to the vote with the Chairman using his casting vote.

Councillor Hilliard addressed the Cabinet requesting that more charging points for electric vehicles be provided across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. In relation to this the Leader advised that there was a paper being brought to Cabinet in the Autumn which would include detail relating to the provision of electric vehicle charging points.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Members endorsed the Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy, acknowledging the necessity for an initial 3-year phased approach towards achieving an ultra-low emission fleet and the future key infrastructure decisions required that will determine its direction and success;

(b)           Members endorsed the move to using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for conventional diesel throughout the council vehicle fleet. Approving commencement of procurement for the provision of HVO fuel and the supply. This cleaner, less polluting fuel results in a significant CO2 emission reduction;

(c)           Members approved the £0.39m capital spend necessary to fund the supporting infrastructure investment to realise significant increases in ULEV’s purchases,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24

To consider the following Transport and Sustainability related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 23 June 2021:

•   Council Fleet Replacement Programme & Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the reports and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet members invited to attend for this item: Councillor M Greene, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability and Councillor M Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste

The Cabinet report for this item is included with the agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Council Fleet Replacement Programme & Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy – The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste introduced the report a copy of which had been circulated to members of the Board and a copy of which appears as Appendix A to these minutes in the minute book. The Portfolio Holders outlined the key issues within the report and responded to a number of issues raised by Board members in the subsequent discussion including:

The environmental impact of the use of palm oil as part of the mix to be used for vehicles. The Portfolio Holder advised that unsustainable oils would not be used. All oils would be accredited and where waste oil was used it would, in all cases, be completely traceable.

It was noted that hybrid fuel/ electric vehicles were in use in some boroughs for buses. Although the typical usage of buses would have an impact on their use there was consideration being given to the potential use of pure electric for some buses.

·       A Board member commented that the “up to 90 percent” reduction in carbon monoxide emissions seemed both vague and at odds with a paper from 2018 which states that the changes being introduced would contribute a 30 percent reduction in emissions. The Portfolio Holder recorded his thanks to Cllr A Hadley for his help in getting to the current point. The 90 percent figure was in relation to a combination of saving from moving to HVO and further savings by moving to electric vehicles. It was anticipated that by 2030 85 percent of the Council fleet would be ultra-low emission vehicles. However, it would not make economical or environmental sense to scrap vehicles early. Overall use would be depreciating and would not be creating a second-hand market.

·       Councillor commented that it was good that the transition to HVO was with the intent of it being a transitional fuel and that the Council were looking in the future to move away from it. However, the report did not appear to be looking at an overall change in transportation habits, for example the use of electric bikes for seafront deliveries. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that they were looking at alternatives to the vehicles themselves and the paper considered back in November mentioned a figure of 700 plus vehicles and the paper was now looking at 611 vehicles.

·       The risk concerning availability of sufficient HVO fuel. It was noted that the likelihood of this happening was very slim but if it did happen vehicles could be reverted back to diesel. HVO would be used in diminishing qualities and there should be a sufficient supply to cover shortages.

·       It was noted that there was no conversion factor for HVO for calculating base carbon emissions and it was suggested that this would be useful.

·       There was a concern raised about members of staff using their own homes and electricity supply to charge the Council’s electric vehicle fleet, in particular whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35