Concerns raised over Staffordshire EV scheme review
Concerns have been raised that Staffordshire could lose £4.5 million of government funding for electric car charging points.
Staffordshire Council was allocated the cash earlier this year as part of a national programme aimed at improving electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
But the county council’s new Reform UK leaders, who took over the authority after May’s local elections, are now carrying out a review of the scheme, after questioning whether it will offer taxpayers good value for money.
Green Councillor Jack Rose said he fears that this review could put the government funding in jeopardy and potentially leave Staffordshire residents worse off.
He quizzed council leaders on their approach during Tuesday’s meeting of the corporate overview and scrutiny committee.
But council leader Ian Cooper insisted that the authority has a duty to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely.
Staffordshire was part of a Midlands partnership of authorities that secured £40.8 million from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund to install over 16,000 charging points across the region.
The charging points would be installed in areas with limited off-street parking, to make it easier for residents to switch to EVs.
The funding was secured under the previous Conservative administration.
Reform says there is ‘little or no demand’ for charging points in these areas and they want the government to let Staffordshire tailor the plans to meet the ‘specific rural needs’ of the county.
But Councillor Rose, who represents Stafford West and Rural, raised concerns that Staffordshire could end up losing the LEVI money.
He said: “I just feel we are risking losing this funding from central government. Other authorities around the country are going to be moving forward with these schemes, taking the funding from central government and investing in local infrastructure.
"It seems to me that Staffordshire County Council are potentially going to be missing out on this.”
Councillor Rose claimed that the scheme could also provide the county council with a new income stream, while also saving EV users money on charging costs.
He added: “It seems that the county council are shooting themselves in the foot. We’re losing the opportunity to invest in local infrastructure, we won’t have this revenue source, and residents will miss the chance to save hundreds of pounds.”
But Councillor Cooper insists that the Reform administration has a responsibility to review the scheme and ensure it benefits Staffordshire taxpayers.
He said: “We are reviewing it. The previous administration had a view and a policy regarding EV charging and it’s only right that we’ve brought it back to cabinet and for the rest of the council to review and consider. So that whole process is ongoing.
“We don’t spend taxpayers’ money lightly. We have a duty and a responsibility to ensure that every penny that we spend as a council benefits the people of Staffordshire.
"It’s quite simple. If it has no benefit, we don’t spend it. If it does, we will.”
The cabinet was scheduled to make a decision on giving officers authority to award a contract for the first phase of the LEVI project in September.
But the council says it is now ‘considering’ pausing its role in the procurement process while the review is carried out.
