Issue - meetings

To recognise the outcomes of the Carbon Management Plan 2009/2014 and note the intention to access the RE: FIT programme. 

Report by the Environment Team Leader.

Update received on the energy and cost savings that have been made through the Council’s Carbon Management Plan in 2009/14 and a proposal to enter into a partnership with the County Council, the Greater London Authority and Local Partnerships to access the RE:FIT programme has been supported.

With the aid of a report by the Environment Team Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Executive Councillors received an update on the energy and cost savings that had been made through the Council’s Carbon Management Plan 2009/14. In 2013/14 projects to the value of £183,000 had been implemented, saving the council an estimated £55,000 per annum.

Members were informed that there was considerable scope to undertake further work. The Cabinet, therefore, supported a proposal to enter into a partnership with the County Council, the Greater London Authority and Local Partnerships to access the RE:FIT programme. The latter was a nationwide scheme involving an assessment of property to identify the potential for the installation of energy saving measures, leading to the option for preparation of a detailed Investment Grade Proposal outlining the cost of all potential projects and the guaranteed savings that would result. Initially the Council would commission free desk top energy assessments of the Council’s nine main sites. Having noted that the Cabinet would be consulted before the subsequent stages of the programme were undertaken, Executive Councillors stressed that the revenue savings of such capital investments should be reflected in future budgets.

RESOLVED

a)  that the contribution of the Carbon Management Plan 2009/14 in assisting the Council to reduce its energy use and carbon emissions from its buildings and fleet be recognised.

b)  that support be given to the plans to enter into a partnership with the County Council, Greater London Authority and Local Partnerships to access the RE:FIT programme, allowing the Council to:

- commission free desk top energy assessments of the Council’s 9 main sites, and

- explore the option of commissioning Investment Grade Proposals, where a business case for energy reduction is identified by the desk top assessment.

To consider a report by the Environment Team Leader on progress against the Energy Management Plan and on proposals to introduce an enhanced approach to energy management.

(Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for Operations and Environment was in attendance for this item).

With the assistance of a report by the Environment Team Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Panel has received an update of the energy and cost savings which have been achieved through the Council’s Carbon Management Plan since its adoption in 2009.

Following a brief introduction by the Executive Councillor, the Panel were informed that the Carbon Management Plan had encouraged a rigorous approach to energy management by the Council which had resulted in the implementation of a number of initiatives, saving the Council an estimated £55,000 per annum. Members were advised that over the lifespan of Plan, the Authority had reduced its carbon emissions by 17.4% and its overall energy consumption by 10% (an average of 2% per annum). This was set against the normal expectations of a 3% rise per annum.  It was also reported that the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2014 to 2016 had set a target for a year on year reduction of 2% and consideration now needed to be given to the best means of achieving this.

Members have been advised of plans to enter into a partnership with the County Council, Greater London Authority and Local Partnerships to access the RE:FIT procurement framework to assist with the identification and implementation of further energy saving measures. This would enable the Council to commission free desk top energy assessments of the nine main sites and to explore commissioning Investment Grade Proposals, where a business case for energy reduction is identified by the assessment. 

In considering the contents of the report and the reductions which the Council had made in its carbon emissions during the last 5 years, Members have asked about the original targets which were set in the Carbon Management Plan. The Panel were informed that although the Authority had not achieved the original targets (a 30% reduction over a 5 year period), this was extremely challenging target and had not been achieved by any of the 50 local authorities who had been asked to achieve it. 

With regard to the proposal to access the RE:FIT procurement framework, Members have been advised that the framework forms part of the Mobilising Local Energy Investment (MLEI) initiative and of the objectives of this wider initiative.  Clarification was also provided as to the financial mechanism that would be set up as part of the MLEI project to enable the alignment of private sector and public sector investment into low carbon energy infrastructure.

The Panel has discussed the costs associated with the RE:FIT programme and has noted there would be a charge in the region of £1,000 - £4,000 for the preparation of a full Investment Grade Proposal. These costs would be recovered by the partner provider from the savings achieved by the Council in the first year. If the Council wished to progress further an upfront capital investment would be required.

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49