Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director for Housing and Growth. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment.]

The Council committed to developing this as part of the adopted Haringey Transport Strategy.  This document will set the vision and action plan for enabling Haringey's vehicles to move towards ultra low emission engines.    Agreement is sought to consult on the draft Strategy and Action Plan.

 The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced this report, highlighting that poor air quality and pollution affected us all, and approximately 50% of all pollution came from transport. This draft action plan explored how the Council would enable and encourage residents to move towards Ultra Low Emission Vehicles which would reduce the main source of pollution in the borough. In 2017, it was estimated that there were 225 electronic vehicles in Haringey, by 2020, Transport for London estimated this would rise to 1,000.

This action plan aimed to ensure that the Council raised public awareness of ultra low emission zones and charging technology through campaigns and education. The plan sought to create accessible vehicle charging points throughout the borough so that it could operate a fully lower emissions zone vehicle fleet by 2030. Work was being done with partners to ensure all commercial fleets that operated within the borough also had low emissions and were electric by 2040. The Cabinet Member informed the aspiration was for Haringey to be the leader in carbon friendly and cost efficient charging systems, which would benefit the environment and generations to come. 

Cllr Barnes sought a commitment from the Cabinet Member that, of the proposed 150-500 electronic charging points across the borough by 2020, none would be installed on pavements. The Cabinet Member responded there were two types of electronic charging points. The larger was not practical for pavements but would be included in car parks. The smaller charging point was practical for pavements, would be no larger than street lamps, and positioned on the edge of pavements.

The Cabinet Member would provide a written response to Cllr Barnes on how much the Council was planning on spending between now and the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy. With regard to increasing public awareness through campaigns and education, a written response would also be provided on how many vehicles within the Council fleet were currently ultra low emission, compared to how many that were not. 

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the Draft Action Plan;

2.    To agree that the Draft Action Plan be published for public consultation; and

3.    Following public consultation, to give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning to sign off the Final Action Plan, which will be amended based on public consultation.

Reasons for decision

By developing an Action Plan, the borough can have a co-ordinated approach to future proofing the borough ahead of a growth in electric vehicles. In light of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone expanding to inner London in 2021, residents and businesses with the most polluting vehicles will incur a daily charge. The Council needs to steer the transition to ultra-low emission vehicles to be ahead of technology developments and regional/national policy developments on air pollution and climate change.

The Draft Action Plan sets out the following objectives:

a)    Increase public awareness of ultra-low emission vehicles and charging technology through campaigns and education

As ultra-low emission vehicles are not yet widespread, there are many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13