Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, members noted the report

The Head of Engineering and Transport, informed members that the report was withdrawn from Cabinet due to financial impacts outlined in paragraph 18. Officers identified shortfalls in highways and drainage renewal and ongoing revenue pressures, including parks and neighbourhood services. Members were advised that to provide a holistic report, officers will cover additional areas.

Members were advised that a high-level costed model up to 2032 has been created, with an 8 to 10-year renewal model intended to inform the medium-term financial plan. Officers will have refined the next three years of costings to inform the forward investment necessary. and due to market volatility and new vehicles. The high-level 10-year cost will change, and officers can't fine-tune costs over the ten-year period due to market volatility for the next three years, which is why behind the rationale for withdrawing the report at this time. The report was withdrawn.

Officers are willing to discuss the report further, and the committee will see an updated report in due course.

The chair thanked officers for the introduction and the additional details, which members appreciated. The chair emphasised the importance of scrutinising the report due to the specific and detailed information about the vehicles considered in it and in understanding why certain replacements have been chosen or not chosen.

Members asked about aligning vehicle replacements with the government's timeline to stop producing diesel and petrol vehicles by 2035. They asked if the council are considering this timeline to ensure it doesn’t invest in vehicles that will soon be outdated or non-compliant?

Officers aim to align with Welsh Government targets. In England, targets have been extended to 2035 and beyond. In Wales, the transition to zero-emission vehicles is set for 2030, with a 2025 target for small and light vans, which the council is on track to meet.

Members were informed that officers face challenges with the renewals program, primarily replacing vehicles are replaced based on battery warranties, which vary from five to eight years. Over time, vehicle purchasing or leasing methods may change, including leasing and replacement of batteries.

Fleet purchases include sweepers, replaced every five years due to harsh use and reliability issues with electric models. Refuse and recycling vehicles are replaced every seven years, or eight years if electric, aligning with battery warranties. Other vehicles are replaced every nine years.

Until 2014, all vehicles were replaced every seven years. Financial pressures led to extending this to nine years, recognising increased maintenance and repairs as vehicles age.

Members were pleased to see the consideration of timelines and want to avoid purchasing or leasing vehicles that may go out of service before their expected lifespan.

Officers noted the Welsh Government's commitment to meeting targets, with a strong push towards zero-emission vehicles. They felt a key aspect is how quickly the council can adopt hydrogen fuelling infrastructure and hydrogen vehicles for larger HGVs like refuse freighters.

The chair asked if officers have noticed any knock-on benefits from transitioning to electric vehicles locally, such as saving money  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4