Agenda item

To seek authorisation to purchase a new small hybrid delivery vehicle to provide community pick up and drop off services.

Cllr Tim Harman, (speaking on behalf of Cllr Dave Norman, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Parking and Libraries), sought authorisation to purchase a small delivery vehicle for community pick up and drop off services. 

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to purchase a new small hybrid or electric vehicle, (rather than a new mobile library vehicle), to be used to deliver collections to customers and to community pick up and drop off points.

Cllr Tim Harman, (presenting on behalf of Cllr Dave Norman, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Parking and Libraries), sought authorisation to purchase a small delivery vehicle for community pick up and drop off services. 

Cllr Harman informed members that as former cabinet portfolio holder for libraries, he was acquainted with this particular issue. He explained that, following the decommissioning of the council’s public mobile library vehicle, (due to excessive repair costs and ensuring best use of limited council budgets), it had been necessary to look at existing service user needs and how best to provide an alternative provision, including providing a service to users living in rural areas.

The options outlined in the report included the proposal to invest in a small delivery vehicle to provide community drop off and pick up points. It was recommended that a new small hybrid or electric delivery vehicle be purchased.  Collections to either be ordered online by customers able to do so or selected by library staff based on customer preference. It was suggested that the preferred option, (option 3), offered the more cost effective and environmentally efficient vehicle to provide the new service.

Cllr Harman emphasised it was not the intention to withdraw the mobile library service. Working closely with local communities and existing users, the council intended to review service user needs and address current issues.

Cabinet members representing constituents living in rural areas welcomed the proposal to consider the needs of service users living in hard to reach locations. It was noted that consideration of the investment required to invest in electric car charging points in rural areas would need to be addressed.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to purchase a new small hybrid or electric vehicle, (rather than a new mobile library vehicle), to be used to deliver collections to customers and to community pick up and drop off points.