Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Mr Ramsay to his first meeting.

Consider Note of Meeting held on 15 September 2021.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of the Note of the Meeting held on 15 September 2021 and this was approved.

Discussion with Team Leader (Policy/Road User Management) including update on Strategy on Electric Charging Points.

3.1     In response to a request at the last meeting, Ms Gilhooly gave an update an electric charging for vehicles.  Transport Scotland had funded EV chargers to date.  This funding had now all been spent.  There were 31 chargers across 14 towns and villages but there were no plans to provide more at present until further advice had been received from Transport Scotland.  Users did not have to pay at present but a report was being prepared for Council to introduce charging.  It was noted that the installation of rapid chargers was more expensive than destination chargers.  The Chairman considered at all car parks in Peebles should have a rapid charger and that this should form part of the Groups final report.  Ms Gilhooly advised that provision was dependant on the capacity of the national grid and the cost of providing additional sub-stations was high.  The UK and Scottish Government needed to work together on this.  The Chairman highlighted the need for bus chargers if the Eastgate car park was to become a transport interchange.

3.2     With regard to the information needed for the survey it was agreed that the information from previous surveys be re-circulated before the next meeting.  The types of questions to be asked were discussed and it was agreed that both quantitative and qualitative types would be required.  In response to a suggestion that school pupils could be used to carry our surveys, Ms Gilhooly advised that it was the analysis that was important which was why using a firm like Buchanans would give more useful data.  However, school pupils could be used to alert parents to the survey.  The survey would be promoted via a press release and would also be available online.  With regard to charging a narrative could also be added explaining that the money was spent in the community.  In response to a suggestion that the money could be used to fund the public toilets, Mr Haldane agreed to check if there were any restrictions on what the money could be used for. It was suggested that a separate survey be prepared for traders and it would be helpful to have a trader representative on the Group.

3.3     It was agreed that there would be a citizen space questionnaire, a hand delivered questionnaire for Traders and in person car park surveys.  Ms Gilhooly advised she would speak to Buchanans about carrying out the in person surveys.  She further suggested that May was a good month to conduct these surveys.

3.4     Councillor Tatler proposed to speak to Tesco regarding their car park was it was never full.  It was noted that some spaces had recently been given over to a “Click and Collect” service so this might have reduced availability.

It was agreed that the next meeting be held in Early February.