Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/SE/14/009

Cabinet Members: David Ray                   Lead Officer: Peter Gudde

                         Peter Stevens

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the development of a West Suffolk Community Energy Plan, be supported;

(2)     appraisal of other energy-related options set out in the report with a view to receiving further investment proposals, be supported;

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

(3)     The following be allocated:

(a)     £15,000 to continue the West Suffolk Greener Business Grant in support of energy efficiency improvements, as outlined in paragraphs 1.1.4 and 1.1.5 of Report No: CAB/SE/14/009;

(b)     £85,500 to improve business resource efficiency and install the next phase of solar schemes on Council property

(Option 1), as outlined in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/14/009;

(c)     as part of the 2015/2016 budget setting process, £1.62 million over three years to develop rent-a-roof solar schemes in partnership with local businesses

(Option 3), as outlined in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/14/009; and

(d)     as part of the 2015/2016 budget setting process, £50,000 to cover the identification, detailed feasibility and associated community engagement activities in support of potential sites for larger scale solar and renewable energy generation technologies (Option 5) where supported and/or led by communities in the Borough, as outlined in paragraph 1.3.5 to Report No: CAB/SE/14/009.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/14/009 (previously circulated) which sought approval for the development of a West Suffolk Community Energy Plan and associated funding allocations.

Councillor Ray, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, informed the Cabinet that the report summarised the business case and made recommendations regarding potential viable options which, if approved, would establish for the first time a long term energy investment plan generating stable revenue and energy cost savings for the Council alongside its existing support for improved community energy efficiency.  Produced jointly with Forest Heath District Council, this would form the West Suffolk Community Energy Plan.

Since its launch in 2011, the West Suffolk Greener Business Grant had contributed to the improvement in efficiency of 62 businesses in West Suffolk from a pot of £60,000 provided by West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership.  The fund had been used by businesses to match-fund either their own capital or other funds, for example Grants for Growth funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

As part of the broader support to business in the Community Energy Plan, the Cabinet supported the proposal for the Council allocating £15,000 to top up this grant pot.  A similar amount would be sought from Forest Heath District Council so that the grant could continue to be offered to help cut local business costs which in turn would support the Councils’ strategic priority to stimulate economic growth across West Suffolk.

Attention was then drawn to the various options for energy efficiency investment schemes, as outlined in Appendix A.  Appendix B provided a summary of the options appraisal.

Councillor Stevens, Portfolio Holder with the responsibility for the environment, emphasised that each proposal recommended for development in Appendix A would need to be considered in the context of ensuring various robust procedures had been undertaken before each scheme could progress.  Measures such as financial viability, the potential impact on the landscape and residential amenity, and its engagement with the local community would need to be considered.

Councillor Brown was in attendance and expressed some concern regarding the viability of the proposed schemes and whether there were other means in which CO2 emissions could be reduced.  The Environment Manager comprehensively responded to these concerns and also answered additional questions raised.

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the development of a West Suffolk Community Energy Plan, be supported;

(2)     appraisal of other energy-related options set out in the report with a view to receiving further investment proposals, be supported;

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

(3)    The following be allocated:

(a)    £15,000 to continue the West Suffolk Greener Business Grant in support of energy efficiency improvements, as outlined in paragraphs 1.1.4 and 1.1.5 of Report No: CAB/SE/14/009;

(b)    £85,500 to improve business resource efficiency and install the next phase of solar schemes on Council property

(Option 1), as outlined in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/14/009;

(c)     as part of the 2015/2016 budget setting process, £1.62 million over three years to develop rent-a-roof solar schemes in partnership with local businesses

(Option 3), as outlined  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11