Agenda item

A report on ‘Climate Change: progress, opportunities, challenges’. The slides are attached.

The Corporate and Community Sustainability Manager, Jane Wildblood gave a presentation on ‘Climate Change: progress, opportunities, challenges’ which covered the following points:

·  Vision and Ambition

·  The Strategic Approach: Partnership working; Community enablement; Leading by example

·  Priorities driven from ESP: reducing our impact on the climate and our dependency on fossil fuels

·  Progress in numbers

·  Area carbon emissions

·  Target and actual CO2 emissions in BaNES 2013

·  % CO2 reduction from 2007/8 Baseline

·  Next Steps

·  Renewable energy generation

·  Progress – some highlights

·  External funding gained since 2006

·  Keynsham Civic Centre

·  Adopted: two delivery strategies, new planning policies and guidance

·  Community Energy

·  Chelwood – from coal to broadband

·  Energy at Home Scheme up and running

·  Community @67

·  Policy and Market Context

(a copy of this presentation is attached to the agenda papers for this meeting or available from Democratic Services)

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Bull congratulated the officers.

Councillor Hale asked how the money for those in fuel poverty is administered and if there is a danger that the Chelwood model will encourage more solar farms. The officer explained that the fuel poverty money is administered through the housing department where there is a process in place through ‘Energy at Home’. The officer did not think the Chelwood model would encourage too many more solar farms as the government subsidy is being substantially cut which may discourage community solar projects for the time being and advised that these farms should be seen as a temporary stepping stone to bring down the price of solar and make it easier to get it on to buildings which most people would prefer.

Councillor Carr congratulated the officers. He asked how CHP (Combined Heat and Power Plant) for the Leisure Centre would work and how will sustainability be ensured. He also asked about signs that the Government are moving the subsidies. The officer responded that a comparative study demonstrated that the best business case for reducing carbon emissions on this site was gas CHP and that gas CHP is classified as a low carbon technology. CHP will be built into the new contract with GLL Leisure. The officer responded on the subsidies question that the Council has submitted comments to the government review of the subsidies making the point about the need to support community energy projects, but the result of the consultation is as yet unknown. Councillor Romero asked if it would be possible to invite a representative from GLL Leisure to a future Panel meeting and share their plans. It was agreed that this would be added to the workplan.

Councillor Romero asked if the work with schools included Academies. The officer responded that the work with schools had overlapped with some schools becoming Academies so some have received advice. The officer explained that the Council scope for influence is reduced with Academies.

Councillor Veale asked about solar panels, the officer responded that she has looked at the Council’s estate and sometimes the roofs are not strong enough and there are some other issues with some buildings. There is now solar on Lewis House. The officer explained that other organisations are also being encouraged to do this such as universities and businesses.

There was some discussion around the benefits of local food. Councillor Butters asked that more allotment space be made available by Parish Councils.

The Chair thanked the officers.