The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report which presented details of the proposed fleet replacement strategy, how the Council would look to ensure that its own fleet was compliant with the proposed Clean Air Zone (CAZ) by January 2020, how the Council intended to realise its own ambition to make its fleet ultra-low emission by 2025, and which also set out the costs associated with the fleet replacement programme for the 2018/19 financial year.
Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further information on work being undertaken as part of the associated business case for the corporate fleet replacement programme with the aim of striking an appropriate balance between managing the cost impact upon the Council, whilst at the same time ‘future proofing’ the programme so that wherever possible the Council’s fleet adhered to compliance levels beyond 2020.
In addition, Members also received further information on the work being undertaken to explore available options regarding the use of alternative fuels, and how this linked into the Council's proposals regarding an alternative fuel station.
Emphasis was placed upon the collaborative work being undertaken with the Local Government Association, other local authorities, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the market in the development of this agenda, whilst it was highlighted that representations were being made to DEFRA around the need for further detail to be provided on the longer term requirements in respect of vehicle emissions and air quality.
In conclusion, the Chair highlighted that this would be the final Executive Board meeting of Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, prior to her standing down as a Councillor at the forthcoming local election. The Chair extended her thanks and paid tribute to Councillor Yeadon for all of the work that she had undertaken across a number of portfolios during her time as an Elected Member of Leeds City Council.
RESOLVED –
(a) That the expenditure of £14.7m for the fleet replacement programme in 2018/19 financial year be approved in order to ensure compliance with the introduction of the CAZ by January 2020;
(b) That the necessary authority be provided in order to enter into a procurement exercise for a supplier of vehicles to the Council for a four year period, in order to cover those vehicles as contained within the submitted report;
(c) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted to Executive Board in the Spring of 2019 in order to seek approvals for the proposed 2019/20 fleet replacement programme;
(d) That the development and implementation of the Fleet Replacement Strategy, as detailed within section 3 of the submitted report, be noted.