Issue - meetings

To consider adoption of the revised Energy Strategy.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

the Energy Strategy and Action Plan, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.

(Officers commented that the baseline data in Tables 1 and 2 would need to be amended and highlighted a number of additions to the information within Table 5, information which had not been available at the time of going to print. This new and amended information would be made available prior to the meeting of the Council.)

A draft Energy Strategy and Action Plan was received by the Committee. The current Strategy was out of date and needed replacing. Officers commented that the baseline data in Tables 1 and 2 would need to be amended and highlighted a number of additions to the information within Table 5, information which had not been available at the time of going to print. This new and amended information would be made available prior to the meeting of the Council.

Members welcomed the report and were keen that the Council should be a leader within the local area in the sphere of reducing energy usage and the associated carbon emissions. The majority of the projects included within the action plan were being funded with assistance from an interest free loan from Salix (part of the Carbon Trust). The rationale behind the phasing of the schemes was explained as it appeared that commencement was not based upon the projected payback period. The Committee was informed that those schemes scheduled for the current financial year were already incorporated in the existing Capital programme for other reasons.

The possibility of identifying local actions that could assist in reducing fossil fuel reliance was discussed. Officers confirmed that the Energy Saving Trust had assessed the opportunities for moving to renewable sources of energy and had concluded that the opportunities within Redditch were very limited. The Building Management System was a key scheme and Members sought confirmation that compatibility with the system already in use by the County Council would be achieved. Officers were able to reassure the Committee that discussions were taking place with the County Council.

RECOMMENDED that

the Energy Strategy and Action Plan, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.