URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4800

Decision Maker: Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: 10.1 The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director City Futures which sought approval for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to commence the procurement process through which to identify a provider and operator of a Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme across Sheffield and the rest of South Yorkshire.     10.2 RESOLVED: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:- (a)  Approves the commencement of a joint commissioning and procurement exercise led by SYMCA to appoint an external provider capable of providing public electric vehicle ‘chargepoint’ solutions for South Yorkshire; (b)  Authorises the Executive Director of City Futures, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into a South-Yorkshire wide contract, and Inter Authority Agreement, with SYMCA, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Doncaster Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the provider for the delivery of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure; (c)  Delegates authority to agree the selected sites / programme once in contract; (d)  Authorises the Executive Director of City Futures, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, and the Director of Legal and Governance to novate, remove as necessary or carry out an alternative commissioning and procurement exercise (to appoint external provider(s), and enter into a concession contract) for Sheffield City Council’s existing public electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and (e)  Notes that any expenditure under the appointed contract(s) will be subject to separate authorisation.         10.3 Reasons for Decision     10.3.1 This recommendation is part of ongoing work to achieve a commercially sustainable public electric vehicle charging network for Sheffield. The recommendation provides significant benefits, including the opportunity for:  ·         A reduction in financial risk to the Council in delivering electric vehicle charging infrastructure. ·         The ability to bring in private investment to match government funding and further expand the available network whilst reducing reliance on public funding. ·         The ability to access private sector skills, expertise and knowledge to develop a commercially sustainable electric vehicle charging network.         10.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     10.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Continue with ‘Own and Operate’ model for existing and future network   This option was rejected because the financial and reputational risks would remain fully with the Council. Commercial models require long term contracts as the financial case for the installation, operation and maintenance of electric vehicle ‘chargepoints’, especially low power residential provision, does not cover itself in the short term.   The Council would need an additional revenue budget to continue the operation and maintenance of the existing network once contracts come to an end and to upgrade the infrastructure at the end of its operational life if retaining this model.   Government has also indicated that whilst there is current funding for local on street charging installation this is unlikely to carry on indefinitely and that this should be used to lever in private finance to maximise scale and move towards market-led roll out for the majority of ‘chargepoints’     10.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Sheffield only Concession Agreement   This is the approach that was taken to committee on 16 March 2023. The option should now be rejected as a collaborative approach with the other South Yorkshire authorities is required in order to access the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund via South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.   LEVI funding will enable the scaled up roll out of charging infrastructure aimed at those without access to off street charging at home.   A collaborative approach is being sought to maximise private investment (via larger opportunity) and support less commercial areas being brought forward sooner due to the potential for cross subsidisation by the network as a whole.       10.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Fully Funded (Commercial) Charging Infrastructure Only   This option was rejected because locations would be limited to those that are commercially sustainable and the ability to support less commercial sites in the near future reduced   There is the potential to consider specific fully funded proposals in the future in addition to the proposed contract, as it will not be exclusive.       10.4.4 Alternative Option 4: Develop Specific Projects and Procure Individually   This option was rejected because it would result in a disjointed citywide provision, not bring in the knowledge, skills and expertise of the private sector making a commercially sustainable network harder to achieve and increase the resource required for both procurement and contract management from the Council.   There is the potential to consider specific projects individually in the future in addition to the proposed contract as it will not be exclusive. In addition, should the terms for our existing network be unacceptable through the proposed procurement an alternative procurement specific to these sites could be carried out.          

Date of Decision: December 17, 2025