Agenda item - Council Sustainable Fleet Management Strategy and Fleet Replacement Programme

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:-