Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of the meeting Friday 29 January 2021 to be considered at the next Overview and Scrutiny Task Group – Sustainable Public Transport taking place 18 February 2021.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the call. Normally you should leave the call before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision  on the matter.

There were no declarations.

The Overview and Scrutiny Task Group for Sustainable Public Transport welcomed Chris Sinnott, Deputy Chief Executive and Jonathan Noad, Director of Development and Place.

Members asked “What incentive measures could be suggested to make sure Chorley’s fleet of licensed taxis quickly move onto clean zero carbon emitting models.”

It was said that the process was not simple nor straight forward, but progress was being made, but with Jonathan Noad’s recent appointment, it would take time for matters to come to fruition.

Directives about green, efficient, electric vehicles and taxi’s changes were coming from Central Government, and the Council were in the process of updating the policies to ensure that they aligned.

A new Climate Change Working Group had been formed and this issue will feature on the agenda. It was understood that without careful consideration and cooperation, there would be push back from the trade due to the substantial costs involved.

Councillor Clifford returned and asked what more could be done to incentivise, encourage and promote the take up of electric and greener vehicles over carbon fueled vehicles.

Chris Sinnott explained that the Council had explored if it was possible to create a separate license for those with green vehicles, but the legislation was not in place.

Members asked if there was anything that Chorley could do to persuade or influence the County Council for a public transport service to cover the east to the west of Chorley, as the Task Group heard from Stagecoach that they do not want to deviate their service.

Chris Sinnott explained that they had been engaged with the County Council and Chorley Council continued to prevent gaps in the service with subsidies where necessary but the County Council were not interested in what Chorley had to say but were happy to take the money to fund the services. He added that the influence Chorley had was with the Local Plan, but the influence was limited against the Transport Operators or Transport Authority. In collaboration with West Lancashire and South Ribble a transport study was commissioned to form an evidence case which would be used in negotiations and discussions. Overall, Chorley agreed with what the County Council had done but it was the nuances that were often overlooked, with an example being the lack of a route from the east to the west of Chorley.

It was enquired if the cost for electric taxis were higher than carbon vehicles, as Stagecoach highlighted that a diesel bus that would last 15 years cost £250,000, an electric bus cost £400,000 and a hydrogen bus £500,000.

Chris Sinnott summarised that at present, electric was more expensive, but technology was evolving, charging points were becoming more common and faster, the capable range of electric vehicles were increasing, and price was decreasing.

The Task Group asked if there was the opportunity with the delayed County Council’s Transport Plan to have fresh conversations about funding, investment, incentives, and tangible actions to be taken in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chris  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.OS7

Tentatively, 18 February 2021, 5:00pm

18 February, 2021, 17:00