Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet recommends to Council that they approve:

·        A supplementary budget of £126,000 for the revised budgets for Vehicles and Plant Replacement Programme for 2023-2024.

·        A revised budget of £2.102 million for the Vehicle and Plant Replacement Programme for 2024-25.

2.     That Cabinet note the intention to develop a new fleet strategy, which will set the future approach to the replacement of our assets, capturing the opportunities to reduce emissions in line with the declared Climate and Nature Emergency.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Sustainability & Finance and Corporate

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability reminded members that the Council’s fleet and plant were an essential part of the Council’s services, and that the Council currently utilises 265 vehicles within its fleet.  These vehicles oversee the waste and recycling, housing maintenance, street scene & grounds maintenance, and parking enforcement & engineering works.

The Medium-Term Financial Plan and annual budget, agreed in February 2023, included a £3.2 million budget for the vehicles and plant replacement programme. £150,000 had been allocated to the fleet upgrade for waste strategy implementation.

An important part of the process was also the reduction in emissions from the NFDC fleet, in line with the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.  The Council currently operated four electric vehicles and an increasing proportion of battery powered tools.  It was explained that investment was required to allow a greater proportion of the fleet to be considered for electric vehicle replacement.  With this, fuel options to reduce emissions in the wider fleet, such as hydrogen and lower emission hydrocarbons, would be considered.  A fleet strategy would be developed which was expected to be completed in February 2024.

Cabinet agreed that replacements should occur where necessary, when a vehicle or infrastructure had reached the end of its lifespan; the Leader confirmed that there were vehicles within the fleet which had been in operation for over 10 years.

In response to a question on market pressures, the Transport and Depot Manager explained that the Council would continue to observe the market and react in an appropriate manner, ensuring that the requisite infrastructure was in place.  The replacement of a vehicle would occur following a rigorous assessment where, for example, whole life costs and running costs would be measured first before a judgement was made.  On a financial basis, the aim was to ensure that the Council received value for money.