Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Environmental Management and of Planning on progress of the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and the Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF).

Supported the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and the Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF) and endorsed the future approach to energy and renewable; authorised the Managing Directors (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and (Resources), after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, to carry forward work on energy and renewable in the District, to deliver the best possible outcomes for Business, the Community and Public Sector, within the Framework of the CRIF; and requested the Managing Directors (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and (Resources) to consider the merits of setting up a CEF.

With the aid of a joint report by the Heads of Environmental Management and of Planning (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet gave consideration to the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and the Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF). In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Environment confirmed that 1169 solar panels had been installed at Eastfield House which would provide the Council with significant energy efficiencies.

The Head of Environmental Management, in the course of a presentation to the Cabinet, clarified a number of matters on what was a complex and technical subject.

Executive Councillors were advised that the CRIF Project aimed to provide a robust evidence base to promote and increase the implementation of renewable energy projects for the benefit of the public sector, community and business. It was designed to help Cambridgeshire meet carbon and climate change targets by maximising energy opportunities. The Cabinet were reminded that Cambridgeshire was required to deliver 28% of its energy from onshore renewable by 2030.

Members’ attention was drawn to the CEF project, a mechanism to support developers to achieve their zero carbon obligations, which was being explored as an option for Cambridgeshire by the CRIF/CEF Steering Group. It was reported that developers would be able to offset the balance of their emissions by contributing into a fund.  The money would then be invested into low carbon infrastructure projects to deliver carbon emissions savings. The Cabinet stressed the need to ensure that CEF income is retained locally through appropriate planning policy provision.

In discussing planned renewable energy capacity, Members’ attention was drawn to the conclusions reached by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being).  In that respect, Members concurred with the Panel that the Council should try to influence where wind turbines were located given that some wind farms work better in some locations than in others. Furthermore, the Cabinet were of the opinion that the delivery of wind farms should not be restricted to private developers and that CRIF should recognise the commercial opportunities for public sector organisations.

Having thanked officers for their comprehensive presentation, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and the Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF) be supported and the future approach to energy and renewables outlined in the report now submitted endorsed;

(b)  that the Managing Directors (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and (Resources) be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, to carry forward work on energy and renewables in the District, to deliver the best possible outcomes for Business, the Community and Public Sector, within the Framework of the CRIF; and

(c)  that the Managing Directors (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and (Resources) be requested to consider the merits of setting up a CEF.

To receive a report by the Head of Environmental Management and the Head of Planning Services on the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF).

(Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for the Environment, was in attendance for this Item.)

Councillor D M Tysoe introduced a report by the Heads of Environmental Management and of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Cambridgeshire Renewables Infrastructure Framework (CRIF) and Cambridgeshire Community Energy Fund (CEF). The Head of Environmental Management then presented the case for the development of a framework for delivering action on the renewable and low carbon agenda in Cambridgeshire. Having outlined the environmental targets the County would have to meet by 2038 and the potential economic benefits of the CRIF project, Members were informed of the project’s aims and objectives, the current position with regard to renewable sources of energy and the level of changes that would be required to achieve various scenarios. They were advised that the CRIF provided a robust evidence base which would promote and deliver the right projects in the right places. They also were advised of investment opportunities the project presented and the ways in which communities would be involved.

Members welcomed the news that solar panels had been installed at Eastfield House which would provide the Council with electricity for its own use and would provide a significant return on the investment.

The Head of Environmental Management then addressed the Panel on how the CEF would channel funds from development projects into low carbon infrastructure and carbon emission reduction projects. He outlined the potential benefits of establishing a CEF, the framework within which it would operate, the timescale for its introduction, how it would be collected and spent and the kind of projects that might be delivered.

Members recognised that developers were likely to challenge the inclusion of renewable energy policies in the new Local Plan. It was, however, accepted that the Council needed to have in place policy provisions to ensure that CEF income was retained locally. Having discussed detailed planning aspects of the CRIF and CEF, concerns were raised that applications for developments with high levels of renewable features would be looked on more favourably than others.  It was, however, the case that such development would have to meet other planning requirements.  Some Members expressed the view that the removal of the requirement for planning permission to be obtained for the installation of renewable features was having a detrimental effect on the appearance of some properties.

With specific reference to wind power, Members suggested that the Council should try to influence where wind turbines were located as it was acknowledged that wind farms worked better in some locations than others.  It was reported that under the new National Planning Policy Framework the Council would be able to specify areas where wind farms would be more suitable.  In making this recommendation it was accepted that there was no upper limit that could be imposed on the amount of wind turbines in an area.  At present Huntingdonshire was dependant upon wind and photovoltaic power for its renewable sources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85