Agenda item

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 response to a question from a Member, the Environment Team Leader was asked to circulate an update on the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund which had been re-launched this week. Members were also advised that the £7.8m funding which had been secured from the ‘Green Deal Communities Fund’ for solid wall installation in Cambridgeshire did not now have to be spent until 30th September 2015 which would give the Council  more time to actively promote the scheme to residents and secure sign-up.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the recommendations within the report now submitted be endorsed; and

(b)  that further updates on progress made with the identification and procurement of future projects through the RE:FIT procurement framework be presented to future meetings of the Panel in due course.

At the conclusion of this item, the Executive Councillor for Operations and Environment took the opportunity to explain that he would be giving an update on his vision for the future direction of the Green Spaces service in the context of the zero based budgeting exercise, the facing the future programme and future Government financial settlements at the forthcoming Council meeting.