URL: https://democracy.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1148

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet, Lewes District Council Full Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Options for waste and recycling vehicle adaptations required to support ambitions for an ultra-low emission (ULE) fleet by 2030. This plan aligns with the fleet replacement strategy approved in June 2022.   To set out the work programme, to include an option to upcycle the refuse and recycling collection fleet, re-powering to electric-driven chassis and renovating the existing collection bodies.   Cabinet report in July, seeking: -approval to move to an EV fleet and -decision on which EV option – new or upcycled (recommendation is upcycled) -decision to purchase or lease The business case will support preferred options.

Content: Options for waste and recycling vehicle adaptations required to support ambitions for an ultra-low emission (ULE) fleet by 2030. This plan aligns with the fleet replacement strategy approved in June 2022.   To set out the work programme, to include an option to upcycle the refuse and recycling collection fleet, re-powering to electric-driven chassis and renovating the existing collection bodies.   Cabinet report in July, seeking: -approval to move to an EV fleet and -decision on which EV option – new or upcycled (recommendation is upcycled) -decision to purchase or lease The business case will support preferred options. The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, setting out the work programme, procurement and budget requirements to upcycle the refuse and recycling collection fleet, which included re-powering to electric-driven chassis and renovating the existing collection bodies, alongside the purchase of new vehicles where upcycling was not suitable.   The Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 3 July 2025 had considered the report and was supportive of the officer recommendations in full. Councillor Brett, Chair of PPAC, was in attendance to report on PPAC’s discussion, including the importance of communicating to the public the clear benefits of this approach.   Councillor Maples highlighted that the Council had been working hard to reach a net zero position in relation to its waste and recycling fleet and was delighted with the work officers had done to propose upcycling the fleet. The Cabinet recognised that that this had large carbon, air quality and financial savings and welcomed the cross-party support for this programme.   Cabinet decided that it did not need to discuss the exempt appendices to the report and therefore did not resolve to exclude the public from the meeting.   Resolved (Key decision):   (1) To approve the move to an electric HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) fleet and   (2) To approve the recommended option to upcycle the current HGV fleet, where suitable, and to purchase a further 7 new electric vehicles to replace the remainder of the HGV fleet   (3) To authorise the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Performance and the Cabinet member for neighbourhood wellbeing, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the recommendations and deliver the programme, including determining the method of financing, the release of capital funding, the procurement method, contract award(s), and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation in accordance with the funding parameters.   Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):   (4) To approve an allocation of up to £9,285m in the Capital Programme, subject to Full Council approval, to be financed either by diverting existing capital resources or by borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB),or a combination of both, as determined in accordance with the process set out in recommendation (3) above.   Reason for decisions:   Recommendations to Cabinet for waste and recycling vehicle adaptations required from 2025 to support ambitions for an ultra-low emission fleet by 2030. This plan aligns with the fleet replacement strategy approved in June 2022.  

Date of Decision: July 10, 2025