Agenda item

Carbon Management Plan

(a)       Joint report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services.

(b)       Presentation by Steve Beresford, Senior Carbon Management Officer, Regeneration and Local Services.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the joint report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services that provided Members with a progress report on the Carbon Management Plan.

 

Members received a presentation from the Senior Carbon Management Officer that focused on progress in 2016/17; projects delivered; on-going projects and future work (for copy of report and presentation, see file of minutes).

 

Councillor Jopling asked that in relation to projects and opportunities for savings from an energy perspective, in relation to the Inspire Programme, when will the cost of this programme be recouped. The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that the Carbon Programme Board requires a maximum of 12 years payback.

 

Councillor Howell referred to the presentation on the reduction in CO2 levels. He suggested that buildings that were no longer owned by the Council should not be accounted for as carbon treductions.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that the council had reduced the number of depots and a number of schools had left the authority. He had done a calculation which took these buildings out of the data and the reduction in emissions remained at the same level.

 

Councillor Howell then referred to the £1,719,349 financial savings since 2012 and commented that this was not shown in the table on page 4 of the report. The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader responded that the figures were obtained from the project management team and reassured the Member that the figures shown in the table were correct.

 

Mr Kinch asked about the National Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Strategy and whether this would include the Barnard Castle – Gaunless railway.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that the LCWIP should be in place for the County Durham Plan.

 

Councillor Martin asked about the Inspire programme and the carbon footprint for County Hall, was the officer happy to see at some point in the future the building would be demolished and the site redeveloped.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that the building from a carbon footprint perspective is not too bad however the design of new buildings are very carbon footprint conscious. He continued that the carbon footprint does not only relate to the building and that going forward the Inspire Programme provided new ways of working for employees such as providing the opportunity to reduce mileage to and from work.

 

Councillor Patterson continued that the Inspire programme is much bigger than just office accommodation and confirmed that one of the opportunities provided by the programme will be reduced business mileage. She continued by encouraging members to visit the Inspire Office located in County Hall.

 

The Chairman commented that he was surprised that the fleet had not been focused on more as he thought that the fleet would offer significant scope for future carbon reductions.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that there is a need to give more attention to the fleet and how they have rationalised vehicles and journeys including looking at routes and business miles.

 

Councillor Gardner referred to street lighting and that developers did not install LED lighting initially so were the figures correct.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer advised Members that the Council only paid for the street lighting once the development had been adopted.

 

Councillor Gardner spoke about solar panels on council buildings in particular schools and asked whether projects in schools have a 12 year payback period. The Senior Carbon Management Officer commented that schools could become an academy at any time and any savings would go to the school.

 

Mr Bolton commented that the cost of electricity between 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm was often higher as this was classes as peak consumption times and that as he had off main line gas he had opted for a boost at early evening and overnight, was peak consumption time still 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

 

The Senior Carbon Management Officer responded that consumption patterns have changed however 4.30pm – 7.30pm still remains the peak time and is charged at a higher rate.

 

The Chairman thanked Officers for the very informative reports and presentations.

 

Resolved: i) That the report and presentation be noted.

 

ii) That the committee receive a further progress report as part of the committee’s work programme for 2018/19.

Supporting documents: