Harrow Council is being asked to approve almost £12.6 million to replace 86 vehicles used for services across the borough.
The plans include new refuse trucks, tippers, vans, cars, cranes and other vehicles used for services including waste collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance.
The proposal is due to go before the council’s Cabinet on Thursday, 24 September.
86 vehicles would be replaced
The replacement programme includes 33 refuse collection vehicles, 33 tippers, eight cars, eight small vans, two cranes and two dumpers.
The current estimated cost of the vehicles is just over £12.4 million, based on quotes received in June.
However, the council is asking for approval for £12.58 million in funding, which includes around £177,000 to cover possible price increases before the orders are placed.
Council officers say a number of vehicles in the existing fleet have reached, or are approaching, the end of their planned working life.
The report says keeping older vehicles for longer could mean higher maintenance costs, more breakdowns and disruption to frontline services.
More electric vehicles planned
The council also intends to continue expanding its electric vehicle fleet where it is practical to do so.
Some fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles could be included in the programme, although this will depend on whether suitable charging infrastructure is available.
A separate report is being prepared on the charging facilities that would be needed.
Traditional vehicles would still be purchased where electric alternatives are not considered suitable for the job.
Programme funded through borrowing
The vehicle replacement programme would be funded through borrowing.
The council estimates financing costs of around £558,000 in the first year, rising once repayments on the borrowing begin.
From 2028/29, the overall annual financing cost is estimated at just over £2.1 million.
According to the Cabinet report, this would be around £1.156 million more than the annual financing cost of the vehicles currently being used.
The council says this is partly due to a significant rise in vehicle prices and higher borrowing costs compared with when many of the existing vehicles were purchased around eight years ago.
The report also identifies a possible budget pressure of around £350,000 from 2028/29, which would need to be dealt with through the council’s future financial planning.
Cabinet members will be asked to approve the contracts and funding at their meeting on Thursday this week.
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