Agenda item

Annual Report for Energy Costs and Energy Reduction Projects

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment informing Members of the council’s energy costs and projects to reduce energy usage.

Minutes:

 

81.1    The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Richard Cook, introduced the report and confirmed that its purpose was to inform Members of the council’s energy costs and projects to reduce energy usage. He advised Members that Cabinet was being asked to resolve to note the council’s energy usage and consumption from April 2021-22 and that future reporting would focus on energy saving initiatives and projects by the Climate Change Manager.

 

81.2   Councillor Cook explained that one of the key objectives of the Energy Management Strategy was a commitment to yearly monitoring of energy costs, however due to the significant changes to the council’s property portfolio with the completion of the Kings Square development, occupation of void units post-Covid-19 and the increased use of cultural and leisure facilities, this was no longer the best means of demonstrating improvements. Councillor Cook further advised Members that the council could no longer commit to reducing its annual spend on energy by £50k per annum with the property portfolio increasing, the council’s Warm Spaces initiative and people returning to work in the city centre.

 

81.3   Councillor Wilson referred to the narrative at 3.6 and 3.7 in the report concerning commodity prices and commented that it was good to note that the City Council had procured commodity prices for 2023/24 at 61% below current market rates. He asked when the council’s contract with West Mercia Energy (WME) was initially put in place, and when the council was required to negotiate a new contract. The Director of Policy and Resources agreed to follow-up this information and provide the committee with clarification in due course.

 

81.4    In response to a query from Councillor Durdey as to whether the City Council was considering the installation of solar panels on its property, the Director of Policy and Resources referred to recent projects at Plock Court and the Guildhall roof refurbishment and provided assurances that the council would always look to make sure its buildings were as climate friendly as possible. He also confirmed that officers would continue to monitor grant funding opportunities to help facilitate these improvements.

 

81.5    Councillor Pullen referred to the St Oswalds Retail Park and asked whether consideration had been given to installing solar panels on the B&Q roof. The Director of Policy and Resources noted that this was likely to provide efficiency benefits for B&Q rather than the council but confirmed that the council could open discussions regarding their intentions.

 

81.6    Councillor Sawyer referred to the data at 9.1 in the report and observed that gas made up 39% of the City Council’s fuel use. She asked whether there were any plans to try and reduce reliance on gas fuel. Councillor Cook explained that the council used the most economic fuel where appropriate and noted by way of example that gas fuel was the most economic means of heating the pool facilities at GL1 Leisure Centre. He confirmed that the council would consider more environmentally friendly alternatives wherever possible when they became available in the future.

 

          RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE the report.

 

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