Agenda item

45.1

Three questions had been received that related to the remit of the Committee. Written responses had been sent to the questioners and published on the Council’s website.

45.2

Two supplementary questions had been received relating to remit questions, the questioners were not able to attend the meeting to ask their questions and had requested that a council officer read the questions out on their behalf. Verbal responses were provided by the Chair as follows:

Supplementary question from Roy Morris:

“Many thanks for your clear reply to my question.

If I may, I would like to add a couple of comments:

1.     Thank you for installing a shelter at AG124. I am on Arundel Gate regularly and, unless I am totally mistaken about the numbering AG123 does not have a shelter yet?

1.     Public confidence in public transport depends on stability and fixed routes. Therefore the sooner the new arrangements for Rockingham Street are in place, the better for both public and council.”

Response from the Chair:

“Thank you for your follow-up question.

Bus Stop AG123 was always intended as a temporary measure and is therefore not equipped with a shelter. The reason for this is that the stop will be removed due to the infilling of the lay-by, which is required as part of the Stack development.

As part of the Arundel Gate works, we are planning to introduce two additional bus stops with shelters between stops AG124 and AG13. However, this depends on the infilling of the lay-by where AG123 is currently located. These new stops will accommodate the bus services currently using AG123, but the allocation of specific services to these stops will be determined by SYMCA, which is responsible for managing bus stops.

The interim arrangements for bus services while AG123 is closed are still under discussion with SYMCA.

Regarding your point about public confidence in transport being linked to stability and fixed routes, we fully agree. Stability and reliability in transport services are essential for building public trust. This is one of the reasons why we strongly support the move towards bus franchising. As a council, we will be responding to the ongoing consultation on bus franchising. Franchising would enable greater local control over routes, timetables, and fares, ensuring the consistency that passengers need.

We encourage you to participate in the current consultation on bus franchising and share your views. Your input will help shape a public transport system that better meets the needs of Sheffield and the wider region.”

Supplementary question from Nick Talbot:

“Please report on the progress of the other 10 Charge Point sites funded by ORCS. Have any ORCS funded charging sites been completed? Prior to ORCS, in March 2023 the Government Getting Building Fund via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority funded 48 Charging Points across 21 sites in Sheffield, operated by Blink Charging on behalf of Sheffield Council. 19 of those sites are in council car parks, and not true on-street charging. The Pond Hill site is for e-taxis only. Clarence Lane is a service road for Waitrose and not true residential on-street charging, with four chargers but two are for e-taxis only, and only two are available for general public use. Blink Charging also operate a true on-street charging site on Devonshire Lane behind the Kangaroo Works, but this is NOT a council operated site according to council website https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/travel-transport/electric-vehicle-charging. The Kangaroo Works freehold is owned by Sheffield Council, but Leased to Kangaroo Works for 299 years. Is the Devonshire Lane site a privately operated charging site on a public street? Is this the only true on-street charging site in Sheffield? Does the council support planning applications from other private companies to provide residential on-street charging across Sheffield?”

Response from the Chair:

“Regarding the additional questions you have raised, the 22 on-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)-funded chargepoints are currently undergoing a final design review prior to implementation. We anticipate that all sites will be completed by the end of March 2025. As for the on-street chargers on Devonshire Lane, behind the Kangaroo Works, these are owned and operated by Sheffield City Council. I acknowledge that the map on the Council website requires updating to reflect all current sites, and we will ensure this is addressed.

On the matter of planning applications, these are considered on an individual basis. In 2023, a report was presented to the Transport, Regeneration and Climate (TRC) Committee, approving the procurement of a commercial partner(s) to work with Sheffield City Council on delivering EV charging infrastructure strategically, including on-street provision. This is a sensible approach for a city to take, in order to ensure that provision is not patchwork.

Following the publication of this Sheffield City Council report, the Government launched the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (LEVI), allocating £8.915M (capital) to South Yorkshire for EV charging infrastructure to support residents without off-street parking. This funding is subject to an application process and meeting the terms of the fund. Delivery is being developed collaboratively through procurement with South Yorkshire’s four partner local authorities to achieve scale and enable cross-subsidisation of less commercially viable areas. This work is currently being led by SYMCA. You are welcome to contact SYMCA directly on this or other matters.”

45.3

No agenda-related questions, statements or petitions had been received.