The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 19 March 2026 to discuss the rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure and the processes for managing public rights of way. Key decisions included approving recommendations to enhance the electric vehicle charging network and streamline public rights of way procedures.

Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

The committee received an update on Lancashire's plans to increase the provision of public electric vehicle (EV) charging points through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme. Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, and Debbie King, Head of Environment, outlined that Lancashire has secured £10.1 million in capital funding for this initiative, with a further £720,000 in capability funding to support staffing and project management. The LEVI programme aims to install a minimum of 6,000 charging sockets by 2030, with an ambition to reach 11,000 by 2035. This funding will be matched by significant private sector investment, with the council receiving a revenue share from energy sales.

A separate initiative discussed was the provision of cross-pavement cable channels, or 'cable trays', to allow residents without off-street parking to charge their EVs from their domestic supply. A successful trial of these channels has led to a business-as-usual service offer, with a waiting list of over 230 residents. The council has received an additional £650,000 in grant funding to subsidise these installations.

Concerns were raised by Councillor David Shaw regarding the suitability of these solutions for terraced housing, the potential for parking disputes, and the impact on electricity grid capacity. Councillor Paul Stubbins questioned the economies of scale for the council undertaking the work in-house versus using private companies and suggested exploring shared cable trays between properties. Councillor Joel Tetlow raised concerns about the allocation of funding for cable trays and whether it was sufficient for the scale of need across Lancashire. Councillor Collins expressed reservations about the council inheriting liability for the infrastructure and questioned the benefit to residents who do not own EVs or businesses. Councillor Singleton questioned the feasibility of the 2030 transition deadline and the adequacy of the current rollout plans.

In response, officers explained that site selection for public charging points would be a collaborative process involving community engagement. They also detailed how the cable tray installations are designed to be flush with the pavement and that residents are required to remove cables when not in use. The council is in conversation with the electricity network operator regarding potential grid upgrades, and the LEVI funding can be used for this purpose. The revenue share from the charge points is intended to fund contract management and reinvestment in infrastructure.

The committee also discussed the potential for co-charging arrangements and the government's grant for home charge points, clarifying that this was separate from the cable tray project but complementary. The council's in-house approach to cable tray installation was justified by the need for control over highway works and asset management.

Following extensive debate, Councillor Cotton withdrew a recommendation regarding industrial sites, but maintained a recommendation for the Cabinet Member to consider the commercial viability and payback for Lancashire County Council. Councillor Joshua Roberts agreed to provide further information on the cost viability of lamppost charging.

Public Rights of Way Processes

The committee reviewed a report on potential efficiencies in the management of public rights of way, prompted by an Ombudsman's investigation into delays in processing Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs). David Goody, Public Rights of Way Manager, presented several options for streamlining processes, including:

• Signage: Replacing traditional fingerposts with waymark arrows where appropriate to reduce costs and installation time, though acknowledging potential public preference for fingerposts and landowner consent issues.
• Gates and Stiles: Investigating DEFRA grants to replace stiles with gates to improve accessibility, noting limitations on grant eligibility and officer time required for applications.
• Obstructions and Deterrent Signs: Proposing to serve notice immediately on those responsible for obstructions or misleading deterrent signs, rather than initial polite requests, to speed up resolution and potentially recover costs, while acknowledging the risk to landowner relationships.
• Enforcement Notices: Suggesting delegation of authority to Public Rights of Way officers to prepare and serve enforcement notices, currently handled by Legal Services, to streamline the process. This would require a change to the Scheme of Delegation.
• Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) and Public Path Orders (PPOs): Proposing to delegate decisions on DMMOs and PPOs to officers, similar to other authorities, with options for a hybrid approach where controversial cases could still be referred to the Regulatory Committee. This aims to reduce delays and costs associated with committee involvement.

Councillor Paul Stubbins raised concerns that the proposals to delegate decisions on DMMOs and PPOs might bypass the benefits of scrutiny, such as critical review and transparency. He suggested focusing on improving efficiencies within the existing process between the DMMO team and Legal Services before considering delegation. Councillor Chris Snow supported increased delegation but emphasised the importance of involving local members in potentially controversial decisions. Councillor David Shaw clarified the distinction between footways and footpaths.

The committee reached a consensus to proceed with recommendations for officers to serve notice immediately for obstructions and deterrent signs (option 7), and to defer decisions on delegating DMMOs and PPOs (options 8 and 9) pending further review of the overall process, as recommended by the Ombudsman. The Cabinet Member was asked to consider how the council could improve the DMMO process.

Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee noted its work programme for the upcoming municipal year. An in-year request from Councillor Jordan Fox to review street lighting was considered. It was highlighted that a significant number of lighting columns (25,434) were over 40 years old and in poor condition, with replacements delayed due to budget constraints and other priorities. The committee agreed to include the review of street lighting in its April schedule.

Key lines of inquiry for the upcoming report on gully cleaning policy were discussed, with a consensus to focus on the adequacy of existing criteria, the effectiveness of communication with residents via the Report It/Love Clean Streets App, and the need for increased funding for drainage works. It was also agreed that representatives from Highways and the Flood Risk Management team would attend the next meeting.

The committee also noted the formal written responses from Cabinet Members regarding previous recommendations on Household Waste Recycling Centres and Get Lancashire Working. The report on the Streetworks Permits Lane Rental Scheme was deferred to the June meeting due to ongoing consultations with utility companies.

The committee was informed that the next meeting would include a formal session on the Lane Rental Scheme and an informal session for work programming for 2026/27. A suggestion was made to circulate topic suggestion forms to members.

Decisions Made:

• Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: Recommendations to proceed with the LEVI programme and the cross-pavement channel service offer were approved.
• Public Rights of Way Processes: Recommendations to investigate efficiencies in signage, gates and stiles, obstructions, and deterrent signs were approved. Decisions on delegating DMMOs and PPOs were deferred pending further review.
• Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26: The work programme was noted, and the in-year request to review street lighting was approved for inclusion in the April meeting. Key lines of inquiry for the gully cleaning policy report were confirmed.