The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee met on Tuesday 7 April 2026 to discuss the Council's budget, the progress of its electric vehicle infrastructure, and the management of its fleet. The committee noted the Council's projected overspend for the financial year and discussed strategies to mitigate it, reviewed the ongoing implementation of electric vehicle charging points across the borough, and received an update on the challenges and future plans for the Council's vehicle fleet.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Review: 12 Month Update

The committee received an update on the Council's Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure programme. Phase one of the project, which involved replacing 22 existing charging points and installing 24 new units, has been completed, bringing the total number of operational chargers in the borough to 46. Phase two is expected to deliver an additional 14 units, supported by £100,000 in funding from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). While eight sites were initially installed, four were later removed due to resident concerns about the loss of on-street parking. Two units are awaiting meter connections, with activation anticipated by the end of the month.

A significant development is the securing of £1.2 million in matched OZEV funding through a partnership with six London boroughs. Procurement for the next phase is underway, with potential locations identified and consultation reports being prepared for member consideration.

Members expressed concerns about the impact of EV charging points on residential parking, particularly in areas without driveways, and acknowledged that charging bays are publicly accessible and cannot be reserved for individual households. Officers confirmed that site selection was informed by mapping exercises and requests from councillors and residents, and that complaints had led to the removal of units in some instances. Alternative solutions such as lamppost charging and cable gullies across footways are being explored. Lamppost charging is being investigated through the multi-borough partnership, and an additional £90,000 of OZEV funding has been secured for cable channel solutions, subject to procurement.

Grid capacity constraints and approvals from UK Power Networks continue to affect delivery timelines. Phase one units are operational, and phase two units will become active following meter connections. Charging speeds vary, with 22kW fast chargers installed at two locations and 7kW chargers at most others due to supply limitations. Future funding will support a mix of slow on-street chargers and fast chargers in town centres and short-stay locations.

The committee welcomed the largely grant-funded approach and emphasised the need for stronger planning requirements on developers and large retailers to reduce reliance on highway-based infrastructure, suggesting lobbying of central government and the Greater London Authority. Regarding fleet charging, officers stated that depot-based vehicles would charge on-site once infrastructure capacity allows, and work is ongoing to identify suitable arrangements for staff-taken-home vehicles. Full depot electrification is expected to require significant infrastructure upgrades over several years.

The committee requested a future update clarifying the circumstances and decision-making processes behind the removal of charging units. Officers confirmed that charging costs are set at 63p per kWh for residents and 65p for non-residents, with maintenance managed by APCOA through a 24-hour monitoring service. The importance of future-proofing infrastructure and providing feedback to suppliers was highlighted.

The committee noted the contents of the report.

Budget & Spending Report - Select Committee Monitoring

The committee reviewed the Month 10 budget monitoring report, which indicated that the Council was forecasting a net overspend of £36.3 million. This represents a £0.4 million adverse movement from Month 9 but remains broadly stable since Month 6. An additional internal review ahead of the year-end identified no material changes to this forecast. The adverse movement is largely attributed to the interventions and mitigations line, where forecast mitigation has reduced from £1.0 million to £0.5 million, partly due to favourable movements elsewhere being treated as mitigation, including a £0.5 million receipt from the West London Waste Authority. The underlying pressure remains primarily within service budgets.

Across services within the committee's remit, a net £0.8 million favourable movement was reported. This comprised £0.1 million in Finance, £0.1 million in Corporate Services, and £0.6 million in Place, with the improvement in Place largely due to lower National Non-Domestic Rates costs across corporate estates. Finance pressures are mainly driven by agency staffing costs, particularly for statutory functions and transformation programmes. The committee also noted grant funding received for asylum support administration. An insurance overspend of £0.4 million was reported, linked to reduced use of reserves to meet in-year costs. Conversely, Freedom Pass expenditure is forecast to be £1.0 million below budget, reflecting revised GLA allocations based on lower relative usage and population factors.

Members expressed concerns about the delivery and long-term sustainability of savings. It was explained that some savings have been delayed due to the time required for enabling activities, and that original assumptions had sometimes been affected by optimism bias. Officers emphasised the importance of robust challenge during budget setting and early identification of savings that are no longer achievable.

Discussion focused on major cost pressures in children's services, adult social care, and homelessness, acknowledging that these are driven by both increased demand and rising unit costs. Officers outlined the importance of managing demand, reviewing needs, supporting lower-cost provision, preventing escalation, and maintaining appropriate service standards.

The committee requested improved transparency in future reports, seeking clearer explanations for variances and whether movements are permanent, one-off, or timing-related. Officers acknowledged this feedback. Further clarification was provided on agency staffing costs, distinguishing between unbudgeted project roles, budgeted vacancies, and longer-term posts now incorporated into future budgets. It was confirmed that permanent recruitment would help reduce overspends but would generally be treated as mitigation rather than formal savings delivery.

Members welcomed the increased stability of the financial forecasts and the improved clarity of explanations, while recognising the ongoing financial challenges facing the Council. Regarding savings delivery, it was clarified that savings described as banked have been achieved, while others are assessed as on track, at risk, or undeliverable. It was also noted that unrelated underspends are treated as mitigation and not counted as savings delivery.

The committee welcomed the improved stability and clarity of reporting and thanked officers for their work.

The committee resolved to note the budget monitoring position as at January 2026 (Month 10) for the Council and for the services within the remit of the Corporate Resources and Infrastructure Select Committee.

Update on Council's Fleet

The committee considered the Fleet Management report, receiving an update on vehicle replacement, emissions compliance, damage costs, and driver performance. The Council operates a diverse fleet of approximately 295 vehicles, and replacing ageing vehicles remains challenging, particularly where electrification is limited by cost and the availability of charging infrastructure.

Electric refuse collection vehicles are significantly more expensive than diesel alternatives, with limited grant funding available for heavier and specialist vehicles. Consequently, 26 older vehicles remain in operation, incurring Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges of between £6,500 and £8,000 per month, alongside higher maintenance and hire costs. The Council has had to meet these costs directly, as no scrappage scheme has been made available to local authorities following the ULEZ expansion, despite an unsuccessful legal challenge. The procurement of new compliant diesel vehicles is underway, which is expected to cease these ULEZ charges later in the year.

Members referred to discussions on YouTube regarding fleet costs and queried whether the reported £800,000 annual vehicle damage cost indicated poor performance. Officers explained that approximately half of this figure relates to third-party insurance claims, with the remainder reflecting direct vehicle damage. When benchmarked against other councils operating similar fleets in dense urban environments, these costs are considered broadly comparable. The fleet regularly operates in narrow residential streets and constrained layouts, increasing the risk of damage.

A range of measures is in place to manage and reduce damage costs, including mandatory driver assessments linked to operator licence requirements, telematics-based monitoring of driving behaviour, targeted feedback and training, and escalation for repeated incidents. While these measures have led to reductions in previous years, damage costs have remained broadly stable at around £800,000 per annum over the last three years. To strengthen accountability, vehicle damage costs will be recharged monthly to service areas from 1 April 2026, a trial aimed at increasing cost awareness and supporting further reductions.

Members acknowledged the complexity of managing a large municipal fleet and recognised that while driver behaviour is a factor, the operating environment itself presents unavoidable challenges. Questions were raised about whether environmental factors and route design are being considered alongside driver performance. Officers confirmed that route reviews, smaller vehicle specifications, and alternative collection methods are being explored to reduce risk in constrained streets.

Trials of electric refuse vehicles and sweepers have shown positive results in terms of range, noise reduction, and drivability. However, infrastructure limitations and capital costs remain the primary barriers to wider adoption in the short term. In the interim, a decision has been made to procure 32 new emissions-compliant diesel vehicles to reduce operational risk and running costs.

An update was provided on vehicle tracking, with 65% of the fleet currently fitted, and full rollout expected by summer 2026.

The committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

Forward Plan

The committee noted the Forward Plan, which outlines key decisions and other decisions to be taken by the Cabinet collectively and Cabinet Members individually over the coming year.

Work Programme

The committee considered and noted its Multi-Year Work Programme for the current municipal year.