Issue - meetings

The report aims to gain formal approval to proceed with the implementation of the Building Energy Strategy and identify opportunities for renewable energy installations delivering both environmental and financial benefits primarily at the sites below.

• Pathfinder House.
• Eastfield House.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Dry.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Wet.
• One Leisure Ramsey.
• One Leisure St Ives Indoor.
• One Leisure St Ives Outdoor.
• One Leisure St Neots.

Executive Councillor: S Howell.

The Cabinet

(1)  approved the Building Energy Strategy with a view to complete feasibility studies on the buildings identi?ed and allow HDC to make informed decisions on future energy and carbon savings; and

(2)  to delegate to the Corporate Director - Finance & Resources (S151) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Finances & Resources to make any consequential amendments to budgets and release of necessary funds to deliver the projects.

A report by the Facilities Manager was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which sought formal approval to proceed with the implementation of the Building Energy Strategy and identify opportunities for renewable energy installations delivering both environmental and financial benefits primarily at the sites below:

• Pathfinder House.
• Eastfield House.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Dry.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Wet.
• One Leisure Ramsey.
• One Leisure St Ives Indoor.
• One Leisure St Ives Outdoor.
• One Leisure St Neots.

The Leader – Councillor Conboy, set out the report, making reference to the engaged debate at the Overview & Scrutiny (Environment, Communities & Partnerships), noting the discussion around taking advantage of Green Tariffs and the energy efficiency of Pathfinder House.

The Cabinet thanked the Facilities Manager and his team for their work, and reflected on comments from the Overview & Scrutiny (Environment, Communities & Partnerships), particularly around the different definitions/interpretations of “Green” when it came to energy tariffs. The Cabinet recognised such concerns, and it was right and proper to bear them in mind as part of the decision around selecting energy tariffs, but there was a concern around the specific language of the additional recommendation from the Overview & Scrutiny (Environment, Communities & Partnerships).

The Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce – Councillor Davenport-Ray also noted the concerns around green energy tariffs that were discussed by the Overview & Scrutiny (Environment, Communities & Partnerships) and felt that some of the wording suggested in its additional recommendation should be considered. Accordingly, she proposed the following additional recommendation, which was seconded by the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance Councillor Ferguson:

“To approve that consideration be given to the relative merits of a variety of different green energy tariffs, given that the expression “100% green energy” is interpreted differently by different people, when the Council’s energy tariff is next procured”.

The Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce – Councillor Davenport-Ray, further commented that recommendation 2 in the report was something the Council did as a matter of course, so it did not need to be explicitly stated and was therefore not necessary.

Furthermore, she noted that recommendation 1 in the report needed to have a conjunction within its wording, as follows:

“To approve the building energy strategy with a view to complete feasibility studies on the buildings identified, and allow HDC to make informed decisions on future energy and carbon savings”.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm to allow time for copies of the proposed amendments to be printed and circulated to the Cabinet and officers present. The meeting resumed at 7:55pm.

The Cabinet was of the opinion that the proposed amended wording to recommendation 1 was a helpful clarificatory amendment. Accordingly, the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce – Councillor Davenport-Ray proposed the amended recommendation, which was seconded by the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance - Councillor Ferguson. When put to a vote, the amendment was carried.

In relation to the comments regarding the necessity of recommendation 2, the Monitoring Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34

The Panel is invited to comment on the Building Energy Strategy Report.

Executive Councillor: S Howell

By means of a report by the Facilities Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Building Energy Strategy was presented to the Panel.

The Panel heard that plans for implementation would be looked at on a site by site basis to balance the Council’s journey to Net Zero with the lifecycle of existing plant equipment.

Concern was expressed regarding the legitimacy of green tariffs nationwide, due to the consistency and origin of the energy these tariffs were comprised of. The Panel were advised that a Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificate had been provided by the Council’s energy provider validating the green credentials of the origination of its energy. It was noted that the Council’s current energy tariff was due for renewal in October 2026.

Further concern was expressed in relation to the energy efficiency rating of the Pathfinder House site, in particular the insulation of the building, despite it being relatively new. The Panel heard that the buildings construction with glass areas was partially the reason for this, however many improvements had been implemented since 2021 and once a review of these changes had been undertaken, further opportunities for energy saving would be investigated.

In response to a question relating to the energy consumption at Pathfinder House on Bank Holidays, the Panel heard that there had been a fault in the system which had not recognised the changes inputted for the Bank Holidays, this had now been rectified and would not be an issue going forward.

Concerns were expressed in relation to the various interpretations of green tariffs. Following a discussion on the matter, it was proposed to add an additional recommendation to the Cabinet report.

At 19:30 it was

RESOLVED

that the meeting stand adjourned.

Upon resumption at 19:33, the additional recommendation and it’s wording was proposed by Councillor Pitt, this was seconded by Councillor Lowe and the Panel voted unanimously in favour of forwarding the proposed recommendation to the Cabinet;

3) that further consideration be given to the relative merits of different Green Energy tariffs, given that the expression "100% Green Energy" is interpreted differently by different people. That the council takes a view on these relative merits, and that this feeds into the procurement process in a timely manner.

The Panel heard that there was preference to keep using and to increase the use of green fuels across the Council’s estate but that alternatives would be considered on this journey as technologies were developed. Councillor Pitt expressed further concern over the wording of Recommendation 2 in the report and questioned whether the implications could be further teased out.

In response to a question relating to the input of the Climate Working Group adding value to the formation of the report, the Panel heard that the feedback obtained had been a valuable part of the process.

The Panel were advised that any future buildings adopted into the Council’s Estate would be subject to the same processes as existing buildings. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21