Council budgets £400,000 for replacement vehicles

Report from Environment and Regeneration department prompts decision

Douglas Council is to budget around £400,000 to spend on replacing seven vehicles within its fleet.

The decision was made by the Executive Committee after it considered a report from the Environment and Regeneration department, seeking approval for the replacements in 2019/2020.

The Council has a continued 'renewal policy' to ensure it keeps a 'safe and sustainable fleet'.

A kerbside collection van, a 'gully emptier', a tractor, and four other vehicles will all be replaced or 'traded in' for new models, then sold at auction.

The committee agreed to amend this year's and next year's revised estimates in the Council's capital programme to account for the cost.

Whilst discussing the matter, members were told that in the UK electric vehicles were becoming popular due to a UK government grant making them 'financially competitive with conventional vehicles'.

It was noted this assistance is not offered by the Manx government, and no clear procurement policy is in place on electric vehicles.