Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director for Children and Young People’s Services which presented an overview of the support available for schools to help them reduce their energy usage, associated costs and carbon emissions. (for copy see file of minutes).

The Committee received a presentation of the Sustainability Education Development Adviser who outlined details of the ECO2 Smart School Programme. The programme had successfully gained engagement from over 90% of the County’s schools which offered support delivering the Schools Energy Management Service Level Agreement. 

Examples were given of the various retrofit work that had been undertaken in schools which included LED lighting, Solar PV panels and air source heat pumps.  Some of this work was challenging due to complications such as asbestos or the structural integrity of the buildings, Solar PV panels have also been being ground based in some schools.  Schools had an opportunity to take out a loan to pay for these improvements over a 12 year term.

Members learned of partnership working taking place, especially the work with Durham University and the charity Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists (OASES) to deliver the ECO2COP.  In 2023 the ECO2COP involved 50 schools across county Durham and a further 50 schools from 16 other countries, 123 teachers and engaged with 6000 pupils from county Durham and from 16 countries across the world.  A similar conference will take place in November 2024 to coincide with COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Information was given on the involvement of young people in the development of CERP3 through the Youth Council and ECO2 schools that provided 550 responses to the consultation.  Schools and academies are an important part of the Council’s carbon footprint.  However, for CERP3 which covered the period from 2024 to 2027 it was agreed that academies would not be included in DCC’s carbon targets but would be included in the countywide emissions targets.

Councillor C Varty enquired about the age range of Young People who had influenced the development of the latest Climate Emergency Response Plan through the Youth Council and ECO2 Smart Schools Programme. The Sustainability Education Development Adviser confirmed that he would provide the requested age information following the meeting.

In relation to Solar PV Generation systems Councillor P Heaviside noted that some positive examples had been shared of self-generation of electricity however he enquired if retrofitted battery storage systems would support non reliance on higher tariffs. The Sustainability Education Development Adviser confirmed that batteries were on site at Morrison Busty and some corporate buildings but not in schools at present due to the initial high costs to purchase, it was being considered in future plans as battery prices decreased.

Councillor J Clark noted the success of the ECO2COP Conferences held in 2023 however despite involvement with local schools she was unaware of the event and considered that participation by all schools should be actively encouraged. The Sustainability Education Development Adviser clarified that the majority of schools involved were of primary age however he was unable to confirm the geographical split of schools that participated.  

Resolved: The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.</AI6>