Issue - meetings

To hear the call-in of the decision E2692 – Policy loan of £500k in Wilmington Farm Solar Array, this report sets out the call-in by 10 Councillors of this decision. The role of the Panel is to consider the issues raised by the call-in and to determine the response.

Appendix 5 – Terms of Reference is now attached.

Statement from Lead Call-in member – Councillor Liz Richardson (a copy of the full text of this presentation is held on the minute book)

Councillor Richardson explained that the call-in is not about objecting to a solar energy farm but only whether the loan is a wise and prudent use of tax payers money. She outlined the three main reasons for calling in the decision:

·  Why was the due diligence not completed before the decision was made?

·  Why were other options not considered for the use of this money?

·  Why are there no figures on how many ‘green jobs’ will actually be created from this allocation from the fund?

She added that she felt that more information is required on this and urged the Panel to uphold the Call-in.

Questions from the Panel to the Lead Call-in Member

Councillor Nigel Roberts asked if the Lead Call-in member had put the questions to the relevant officers including the 151 officer. Councillor Richardson explained that she had but did not get the answer to all of her questions.

Statement from Cabinet Member for Community Resources – Councillor David Bellotti (a copy of the full text of this presentation is held on the minute book)

Councillor Bellotti stated that The Green Investment & Jobs Fund (£1m) was approved by Council in February 2014 and pointed to the Council’s renewable energy targets and policies. He explained that this decision had been made subject to due diligence as is usual Council practice. He stated that he felt the loan represents a reasonable and prudent investment. Councillor Bellotti gave examples of other authorities lending at 5% which compared favourably with the loan to BWCE (Bath & West Community Energy) and also to the Government encouraging Local Authorities to borrow from the public loan works board to fund energy projects. He went on to report that the due diligence had now been completed and that PWC (Price WaterHouse Cooper) had judged the business case as reasonable and Arlinghouse had approved. 

Questions from the Panel to the Cabinet Member

Councillor Francine Haeberling asked if it is right for the Council to invest money when a number of Councillors are investors in the project. Councillor Bellotti replied that it is a business decision. He further explained that he is not an investor in this company but had contributed to other bodies and would hope that this would not preclude him from supporting them in other ways.

Councillor Barrett asked who made the first approach regarding the loan and if the Council are committed to further investment. Councillor Bellotti explained that a co-operation agreement was signed in 2011 between the Council and BWCE and this proposal had come up as a result of this agreement. He further explained that there was still £500k in the budget and no further commitments.

Councillor Tim Warren asked how many local jobs would be provided as a result of the project. Councillor Bellotti explained that the £1m approved by Council was for green investment as well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44