Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Liz Hogger.  The Committee was advised of a substitute as detailed above.

In accordance with the revised local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, the councillor must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

To confirm the minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on 10 July 2017.

The minutes of the Board meeting held on 10 July 2017 were approved.

The Major Projects Transport Planner gave a presentation summarising his report submitted to the Board.  The Board was advised of the likely potential for a bike share scheme for Guildford, particularly in areas close to the town centre. The Major Projects Transport Planner informed the Board of the benefits of a bike share scheme, scheme options, the likely costs, and the proposal to undertake a full feasibility study.  The Board members were invited to comment on the scope and content of the proposed feasibility study.

 Comments and questions from the Board members raised the following points and information:

·         The location of docking stations, including at the Borough’s park and ride sites, would be included in any feasibility study for the bike share scheme.

·         The Board was advised that the scale of the bike share scheme for the town was important; a minimum provision of 150 bikes and 10-15 docking stations was anticipated.  The Board was informed that the greater the number of docking stations the more sustainable the scheme.  The Board was advised that to install a docking station at the railway station would require work with Network Rail and South West trains.

·         The meeting was advised that the input of G-BUG (Guildford Bike User Group) would be sought as part of the work on the feasibility study.  In response to a suggestion that cycling apps data be used to help identify the best docking station locations, the Lead Councillor for Infrastructure and Governance advised that route monitoring equipment was fitted to the bikes. 

·         In relation to user surveys, the Board was advised that relevant data would be obtained from Bikeplus as part of the feasibility study.

·         The University of Surrey was a participation in the Santander Cycles University Competition, which involved the design of a bike hire scheme for the university.  Board members discussed the value of possible co-ordination with the University’s scheme and the advantages of the Council’s procurement not being unduly swayed by the outcome of Competition.

·         Local organisations, the third sector, or the bike share company directly would undertake the redistribution and maintenance of bikes.  The Council could use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor performance.

·         Board members suggested the need in infrastructure improvements to be enacted in conjunction with the bike share scheme, particularly to ensure cyclists could avoid the gyratory system.  The meeting was informed that the River Wey towpath was already part of the cycle network.

·         The Lead Councillor for Infrastructure and Governance advised the meeting that his preferred option was for the Council to provide the capital costs of the scheme and for sponsorship to meet the revenue costs.  The Board indicated that a capital-free scheme should be considered as an option.

·         The Board was advised that the typical length of contract for a bike share company was five years.

·         Board members questioned whether the bike share scheme might turn pedestrians rather than motorists, into cyclists.  The need for users to join the scheme and pay a membership fee might  ...  view the full minutes text for item BEI11

To receive a verbal update

The Parking Services Manager gave a presentation on electric vehicles.  This presentation included a summary of the journey range of electric cars and an outline of different types of battery charging.  The meeting was advised about ‘range anxiety’ as a barrier to the adoption of all-electric vehicles.  The Parking Services Manager advised the meeting that Surrey County Council aimed to have a strategy in place by March 2018.  In addition, the Board was informed of current concessions for electric cars in Guildford and details of the charging points in the Borough.

Comments and questions from the Board members raised the following points and information:

·         The cost of replacing the batteries in electric cars could be considerable.  The meeting was advised that swapping batteries during journeys was being proposed as an alternative to charging them.

·         The Council offered a green permit scheme for off-street car parks and a discounted on-street permit for vehicles under 1200cc or running on electricity or solely on an alternative fuel source.

·         The meeting was advised that the cost of converting a lamppost to enable charging of an electric vehicle was approximately £1000. 

·         The suggestion was put forward that wireless electric vehicle charging (through induction) would soon replace wired technology charging.  The potential risk of over-providing charging points that might become quickly outdated was discussed.  Members considered the need to balance encouraging electric vehicle use with a desire to not spending public money imprudently.

·         The Lead Councillor for Infrastructure and Governance indicated that the Council needed to respond with current technology to encourage electric vehicle use and raise awareness.  In addition, he suggested the Council would lead by example with its own fleet.

·         Board members advocated siting charging points in locations that would reduce congestion, for example, at park and ride sites.

·         The Parking Services Manager indicated that if the Council controlled the charging points it could control the costs, including whether or not to make them free.

·         The Board was advised that improvements in battery technology were expected to be considerable.

·         The advantage of locating electric vehicle proposals within the broader perspective of a Smart town initiative was suggested.

·         The Board was advised that electric cars and electric bikes could not use the same charger.

·         Board members suggested the development of an app for an electric charging reservation system.

The Chairman indicated her thanks to the officers and Board members for the information, suggestions and advice offered.

To consider and approve the EAB’s draft work programme.  Details of future Executive decisions are included.  

The Board was advised that the Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Planning and Regeneration and the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Infrastructure and Governance were both unable to attend the next meeting of the Board.

The Chairman asked the Board members to submit topics for consideration for the work programmes of the EABs.