Staffordshire County Council's Reform UK-led cabinet has made a bold move, voting to reclaim over £4 million in electric vehicle infrastructure funding from a consortium involving four other Midlands authorities. This decision marks a significant shift in the council's approach to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The council's cabinet report highlights that by withdrawing from the Midlands Connect-led regional consortium, Staffordshire will have more control over its spending. This allows the council to prioritize local needs and minimize disruption on local roads, which could arise from on-street charging. The £4.6 million allocated by the Government last year aims to support the private sector in delivering public EV charging infrastructure to meet growing demand.
The previous Conservative county council administration had committed 90% of its LEVI funding to a joint procurement for on-street electric vehicle infrastructure in communities. However, the new cabinet, formed after the May elections, has taken a different stance. They have endorsed plans to withdraw from the consortium and are developing a new business case for the remaining 90% of LEVI funding. This business case will be submitted to the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles for feedback.
Councillor Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity, emphasized the importance of the LEVI programme in delivering the right type of charging infrastructure for Staffordshire's electric vehicle owners. He stated that the council aims to utilize the funding in a way that benefits everyone, focusing on charging infrastructure on publicly owned land such as car parks and community hubs. This approach aims to minimize disruption on local roads.
Council leader Ian Cooper, who presented the proposals, stressed the council's responsibility to public money and the need to spend it wisely. Fellow cabinet members shared similar sentiments, with Councillor Chris Large expressing relief that the council is taking a sensible and common-sense approach to the situation. Councillor Peter Mason added that this strategy will bring real benefits to communities, making the charging infrastructure more equitable and reducing infrastructure disruption and costs.
The council's decision to reclaim the funding and take a more localized approach to EV charging infrastructure has sparked discussions about the best way to utilize public funds for the benefit of the community.
