To consider a report from the Executive Member for Climate Change and the Executive Member for Highways, Environmental, and Traded Services.

1)    Approve an extension of the current trial period for the use of ‘Personal Delivery Devices’ or ‘PDDs’ in areas of Broadhead, West Timperley, Sale West and Ashton upon Mersey for a further 6 months.

2)    Approve the proposal to deploy PDDS in additional areas as detailed in the report for a trial period of 6months to run concurrently with the current trial period.

3)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Place in agreement with the Executive Member for Highways, Environmental & Traded Services to agree and finalise the operating agreement and agree continuation of current trials and additional trial areas if successful.

4)    Authorise the Director of Legal and Governance to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.

The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental, and Traded Services introduced the report and asked the Committee to note that the devices were a novelty at the moment but had proven to be very popular and the extension of the programme would help to spread knowledge of the devices. The Executive Member drew Members attention to the advantages of the personnel delivery devices especially how they helped the most vulnerable in the area to be more independent.

The Leader welcomed the report and the extension of the programme before opening the floor to Members of the Executive.

The Executive Member for Health and Care stated that there had been concerns at when the devices were first introduced that they would reduce the number of jobs within the sector. The trial had shown that was not the case and that the devices were filling a gap in the market and so welcomed the extension of the programme.

The Leader then opened the floor to other Members in attendance.

Councillors from each party all welcomed the report and the expansion of the service. The Councillors asked questions regarding possible further expansion of the programme and liability for any incidents involving the devices. The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental, and Traded Services and Corporate Director for Place provided in depth responses to the Members questions.  

The Leader concluded discussions by noting the impacts of the trial including the carbon reduction and the reduction in car journeys. The trial had proven popular with residents in those areas who welcomed the devices into the community and the continuation of the service. The Leader then moved the recommendations of the report which were approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    Approve an extension of the current trial period for the use of ‘Personal Delivery Devices’ or ‘PDDs’ in areas of Broadhead, West Timperley, Sale West, and Ashton upon Mersey for a further 6 months.

3)    Approve the proposal to deploy PDDS in additional areas as detailed in the report for a trial period of 6months to run concurrently with the current trial period.

4)    Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Place in agreement with the Executive Member for Highways, Environmental & Traded Services to agree and finalise the operating agreement and agree continuation of current trials and additional trial areas if successful.

5)    Authorise the Director of Legal and Governance to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required to implement the above decisions.