Agenda item

The Committee considered the joint report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local services and the Corporate Director of Resources that provided Members with information on the Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP2) (for copy see file of minutes)

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager was in attendance to deliver a presentation on BEEP2 that included a brief overview of what it was. BEEP’s first phase was completed in 2019 that had offered fully funded bespoke energy audits and grants and advice to SME’s (small and medium sized enterprises). She added that following an assessment, the project was found to have hit all its targets and had some unintended outcomes that lead to additional projects being developed.  She gave ‘BEST’ as an example of a project that had helped inspire other local authorities such as Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside to establish their own projects based on the BEEP model. 

Although the local authority referred to the new project as BEEP2, to businesses it was a seamless delivery of the project.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager informed the committee that the success of BEEP aspired further funding to be granted to establish BEEP2.  The biggest differences between the two projects were that BEEP2 had steeper targets to meet to match the larger grant pot, work was undertaken around transport, heating and diverse waste of water that were huge issues to be addressed.  BEEP2 was hoped to create more collaboration with external organisations and be more proactive in reaching out to more people.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager notified the committee that the budget for BEEP2 would be complete in 2022.  She added that there would be no further European funding for a potential BEEP3 project and to take the project further things would have to alter and done in different ways.

The committee was advised that lowering the temperature of a thermostat by a small amount could provide savings and that businesses were often approached by brokers offering reductions in their energy bills but businesses appreciated the impartiality of the BEEP team.

Councillor Temple wanted to know if third sector organisations including religious bodies were included in the project’s criteria for funding as he had heard that the Church of England intended to be carbon neutral by 2050.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager responded that the funding that had been secured had strict definitions of SME’s.  She added that some charities fell within the definition like village halls and community centres.  Work had been carried out with such entities within County Durham and had also helped link them into other funding opportunities.  She noted that it was more difficult and complicated with churches. She informed the committee that she was working in such a situation at present with a church which was causing some difficulty. The church in question had a separate building that they were concentrating on in the first instance.  She felt that if there was enough demand from churches then it would need to be looked at to include them.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager responded to Councillor Temples question of what charities could be referred to BEEP2 that it would depend on the charities legal structure as to whether they would qualify.

Councillor Adam asked how BEEP2 was promoted to organisations.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager informed the committee that they worked with Durham Community Action Group who made referrals for organisations that they thought required help. She added that referrals were also received from Durham County Council staff who were involved with organisations.  She noted that the biggest and best type of advertisement for the service was from word of mouth. 

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager explained that there were difficulties in obtaining data on where the energy demographic was in the County to target the project. She was keen to hit organisations in rural areas that still used oil and diesel as a source of energy. She added that in addition to their routine work Officers did target these organisations in rural areas whilst they were in the vicinity.

Councillor Dunn commended the fantastic programme of works within the BEEP2 project but was concerned that SME’s would not address their carbon footprint unless it was pointed out to them. He felt that if it did cross their minds they would not know where to start to look for information on doing so.  He wondered if there was a data base that organisations could access to see what their needs were including information on how to address them.  He added if this was not available could a system be developed.

Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager notified the committee that data was being collected. BEEP2 was linked with Business Durham to target organisations.  Further collaborations were being carried out with the GIS team within Durham County Council to add additional layers to the mapping system to provide information. She added that work was ongoing with businesses to reduce energy bills with one company paying 25p per kilowatt an hour compared to Durham County Council who only paid 14p per kilowatt an hour. She was apprehensive that there were so many opportunities for people to be exploited into paying too much for their energy.

Councillor Milburn wondered if it would be possible to run seminars alongside Durham Action Group for community groups to highlight what could potentially be done for them.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager stated that in theory this could be done but BEEP2 funding was not meant as an educational facility.  She noted that Business Durham were collaborating with the wider low carbon emissions team to do this type of endeavour as it warranted Durham County Council to raise awareness.

Councillor Coult asked if Sport England and the Cricket League had been contacted as they may have potential markets to tap into with sports clubs.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager explained that the only work that had been carried out with Sport England was when clubs had been encouraged to approach the organisation for match funding. She thought contacting Sport England and the Cricket League would be a good avenue to explore on a strategic level.

Councillor Temple wished to know if an article had been submitted to the County News that was produced by Durham County Council’s Media Team.  He explained that the magazine reached all households in County Durham and would create good exposure.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager had hoped to get an article in the Spring 2018 edition but there was strong competition to place articles in the magazine.  She now hoped she would get an article in the Spring 2020 issue.  She added that she was working with the Media Team to explore other channels of promoting the project.  She noted that the best form of exposure was through word of mouth which Councillors could help with.

Councillor Temple wondered if the Committee could persuade the Media Team to include an article in the County News magazine.  The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager appreciated the gesture.

Councillor Adam agreed to contact the Media Team to include an article in the next edition.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager informed the Committee that BEEP2 had received support from Durham County Council’s Business Rates Team who had provided contact details for businesses to approach the Team. 

Councillor Adam thought that BEEP2 could be promoted on Durham County Council’s website.  He noted that the Committee was sometimes attended by members of the press who could get the word out. 

Councillor Clare wanted to know how many network meetings the BEEP2 had been presented to.

Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager responded that she had attended all network meetings except for Chester le Street and Consett which were difficult to get into.  She added that she didn’t attend all events but was going to a meeting on Drum Industrial Estate next week.

Resolved: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That an update report be presented at a future meeting.