“A number of rapid sites in the city have also been subject to cable theft – an issue common in much of the North and Midlands – so a robust approach to tackling theft and vandalism is needed,” the report said.
During the committee meeting, city resident Anton Levsiushkin called for the council to act quickly to use the funding, available until March 31, to trial the installation of pavement channels or gullies.
These would enable drivers to charge their cars from home without trailing wires, creating a potential hazard to passers-by.
A response to his request said that the mayoral authority and council were working with the government to take advantage of the funding. This includes obtaining an extension to the funding deadline.
Under the scheme, the council would get £60,000 of a proposed £300,000 annual concession fee to be paid by the contractor, plus a 32% share of any excess revenue, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.