Meeting documents
- Meeting of Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee, Tuesday 8th April 2014 10.00 am (Item 7.)
Members will receive an update on Council’s Carbon Management Plan and the new Energy Strategy. They will review the progress to date and consider any future opportunities and challenges.
Lesley Clarke OBE, Cabinet Member for Environment
David Sutherland, Sustainability Manager
Rachel Toresen-Owuor, Energy Manager
Papers:
· Carbon Management Programme & Energy Strategy for Buckinghamshire
· Carbon Management Plan (CMP) 2012-2017
· Buckinghamshire Energy Strategy Workshop
Link to Resource Efficiency Sustainability Plan 2013-2016
Minutes:
Lesley Clarke, OBE, Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, Netta Glover, Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment, David Sutherland, Sustainability Manager & Rachel Toresen-Owuor, Energy Manager were welcomed to the meeting.
The Cabinet Member explained that Buckinghamshire County Council has been looking at its energy consumption, for buildings in particular. Savings are beginning to be made and water consumption is now being looked into for the first time. The consumption figures can be presented to the Committee if required.
In response to the question about fracking raised in the letter dated 4 February, Lester Hannington, Lead Officer for Waste and Minerals Planning has compiled a document entitled ‘frequently asked FAQ’s concerning on-shore oil and gas development which is on the BCC website. The Government is about to issue the 14th licensing round for fracking. Buckinghamshire County Council will look into fracking once the details of where the licences are going to be given are known. The Minerals and Waste Strategy will also be updated. Details can be found via the following web link;
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/1789957/Buckinghamshire-Fracking-FAQs-note.pdf
We may have fracking in Buckinghamshire but the county does not have the right shale clay that is easily used. There is one license at the moment for exploration around Windsor Castle which ends this year. Fracking has not started in this area as yet. BCC are well aware of having to ensure that that energy efficiency projects are started.
Ms Toresen-Owuor outlined the following salient points of the report;
The Carbon Management Programme and the Energy Strategy are two different strands of work but they will come together as BCC move towards Future Shape as a transformation plan for energy in Buckinghamshire.
Carbon Management Programme (CMP) looks at energy consumption and
· BCC is focussing on its own estate and energy consumption (including schools). This is primarily energy efficiency projects, with some renewables (biomass boiler programme).
· The Plan will help the Council to achieve a 10% absolute reduction in CO2 by April 2017 compared to 2011/12 emissions
· BCC are a mandated participant in Phase 1 of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, which requires reporting of energy consumption and purchase of allowances for CO2 emissions. Phase 1 of the scheme ends in July 2014.
· Reporting on carbon reduction and the Greenhouse Gas to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). This is not statutory but all Local Authorities are expected to report.
· Reports to Carbon Management Board, Property Board and COMT.
· Invest to Save projects funded using Salix ringfenced fund, MTP capital bids, corporate energy efficiency reserve.
· Upgrade the street lights to LED lamps on the A &B roads and the installation of a bio-mass boiler this summer
The Energy Strategy looks at what measures Buckinghamshire can take as a county and includes;
· A countywide strategy, developed in partnership with District Councils and stakeholders.
· Focussing on opportunities for community owned energy generation projects, and overcoming barriers to implementation of energy schemes.
· Aims to increase long term energy security and local supplier competition and secure economic social benefit to the residents and businesses in Buckinghamshire.
· Governed by NEP, with LEP interface for securing funding.
The two strands of work run in parallel to transform the way the energy usage is looked at across Buckinghamshire with the overarching vision of becoming much more energy resilient and that the communities will benefit.
During the update the following questions were asked;
Is it possible to clarify the statutory obligations the County Council is under in terms of its Carbon Management Plan and Energy Strategy? Ms Toresen-Owuor explained that the Authority is a mandatory participant of phase 1 of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency scheme which ends in July. Participation is mandated by law under the Climate Change Act 2008 to report our energy consumption to Government and to purchase allowances for the carbon emissions as a result of that energy consumption. The CMB plan is not mandatory; however it makes good business sense as increasing the energy efficiency of the property portfolio and operations saves money. The Authority is not mandated to set targets or develop an energy strategy but is exploring the potential for income generation i.e. solar and wind power and bio mass installation. There is also the opportunity to generate income by looking at the potential to setting up as an Energy Services/Supply Company.
The report makes reference to the Carbon Management Board and the Property Board. Is it possible to have further information on who sits on each of the Boards and their Terms of Reference? Ms Toresen-Owuor advised that that Terms of Reference for the Carbon Management Board (CMB) have just been reviewed the Terms of Reference. The CMB is chaired by Lesley Clarke and supported by Netta Glover. The Board has representation from all service areas across the Authority (Place, Transport for Buckinghamshire, Adults and Family Wellbeing etc). The TOR and Membership list can be circulated to Committee Members.
Action: Ms Toresen-Owuor
What anticipated barriers are seen for the implementation of the energy schemes i.e. the lack of renewable spaces in the county? The Cabinet Member explained that energy consumption as a whole needs to be looked into in greater detail. There are many of ways to increase how things are being done at the moment. One possibility BCC is considering is setting up its own Local Authority Trading Company. A visit has been arranged to a community solar/wind farm in Wiltshire.
Are there any anticipated barriers in terms of thought processes, rules, regulations or other bodies? The Cabinet Member said it is about knowledge, knowing who to contact and where financial assistance/ grants can be levered in from. Page 58 gives details of the various renewable energy projects being looked at i.e. bio mass. Talks have taken place with the National Trust as they run a bio-mass facility in Hughenden (Chiltern Woodlands Business) as well as using other areas in the portfolio i.e. wood from parks and the land. There is the need to look at the way things can be done differently.
Mr Sutherland explained that as a county, Buckinghamshire generates 3% of its energy from renewable sources. From an energy resilience point of view, Buckinghamshire is very open to market volatility in terms of prices rises. There is a shift in market appetite around how do things differently. The Authority has looked at own estate first. The agricultural estate is being looked at in terms of how it can generate energy itself i.e. the installation of a bio-mass boiler in Black Park in the summer and using the wood from the estate to become self sufficient in heat.
70% of the housing stock in Buckinghamshire is poorly insulated. In terms of planning, there is the need to ensure that a carbon footprint reduction is built into the planning and approval of all new housing stock.
What projects is the Energy Strategy focussing on? Ms Toresen-Owuor advised that an activity register for the Energy Strategy has yet to be developed. A fact finding visit to Westmill Solar Park, Wiltshire is taking place at the end of April.
The Cabinet Member added that BCC would like to start to become perhaps an energy company to provide cheaper energy to residents of Buckinghamshire. There are lots of buildings where solar panels could be installed, Photovoltaic (PV) noise barriers alongside motorways could be looked at as well as the Energy for Waste plant and the benefits that could be obtained from this. There are a lot of measures which could be taken where a reduction in income and the carbon footprint could be seen.
Ms Toresen-Owour reported that she had recently attended the Carbon Trust Public Sector Conference and BCC received an award in recognition of being a leading public sector organisation participating in terms of tackling carbon.
Mr Sutherland explained that when the bio-mass boilers are installed, the Authority will be selling heat as part of the programme and will also be generating an annual income of about £180,000 from the Renewable Hear Incentive. With regard to schools, in the last year as part of the CMP energy efficiency projects were prioritised. Across the education portfolio a two year insulation programme in local schools has just been completed. This should generate savings of around £140,000 per year.
A new primary school is being built in Buckingham through S106. What steps will be taken to ensure that the school meets the energy new requirements? When BCC commissioning new buildings, are they demanding what is expected of existing stock? The Cabinet Member explained that planning rules and regulations state a certain standard.
Mr Sutherland added that in the Sustainability Action Plan that went to Cabinet in March 2013, the aspiration was for new builds to be BREAM ‘very good’ standard.
What are the risks of setting up an Energy Service company, how it is proposed this will be done and what is the strategy. The Deputy Cabinet Member explained that BCC are currently investigating the possibility of setting up an energy company. Bio-mass issues are being looked at i.e. Black Park hoping to become energy efficient. The Authority is starting to look where it can bring in income. One way is making sure that businesses, schools and the Authority’s own buildings are energy efficient. District Councils have the opportunity of cavity wall filling and loft insulation but there are issues with helping residents to empty their loft. How this issue can be overcome needs to be looked into.
There should be caution about setting up an energy company as EfW may not generate enough money to subsidise someone else’s fuel. Mr Sutherland explained that all the projects under the CMP are looked at as part of a business case in terms of are they driving savings for the Authority. When the baseline figure was put together in 2011/2012, it was calculated that about £11m was being spent on energy across the property portfolio. If no action was taken, this would rise to about £18m by 2017. The biomass boilers being installed this summer will generate around £180,000 per annum in renewable heat incentive for the Authority.
The work being done is commended. How does the County Council promote and communicate with residents to get their buy-in into the energy schemes? Mr Sutherland explained that the Authority runs a Community Energy Champion scheme where volunteers from the community are trained in energy i.e. the use of heat guns with the idea of them being champions in their community regarding energy. The scheme has been very successful from a small start. More than 60 volunteers have been trained to use and promote energy schemes and equipment.
Ms Toresen-Owuor added that Community Energy Champions scheme was initially funded using the Big Society funding. The three year funding programme is now coming to an end. With regard to engagement in the Energy Strategy, at the workshop held in February for stakeholders, there were representatives from active community groups i.e. the Low Carbons Chilterns Co-operative and Save Aylesbury Vale’s Environment who would cascade information. The Community Energy Champions are also able to help other members of the community understand their own energy bills. A lot of effort is put into good links which focus on energy efficiency.
Is there information about the Community Energy Champions Scheme on the BCC website? Ms Toresen-Owuor said the BCC webpage is currently being updated to include pictures and case studies of the energy projects.
The Energy Strategy is not on the website at the moment. The next drafting session for the Energy Strategy is in May. It is hoped that a version of the Energy Strategy will be ready for public consultation in June.
What is the Natural Environment Partnership (NEP), what is BCC’s role with the NEP, and what is the relationship between the NEP and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)? The Deputy Cabinet Member explained that the NEP looks after environment matters with other agencies and is run by Bucks Business First from offices in Saunderton. The NEP has recently lost Partnership Manager. Vicky Wetherall has been appointed as the interim Partnership Manager and is currently working on a business/community plan and State of Play report as well as priorities and funding sources. There is also the need to explore how the NEP and LEP liaise in terms of funding possibilities. Various District Councils contribute £4,000 and the Local Authority has contributed £25,000 towards the running of the LEP. The official launch of the NEP and an analysis of what has happened in the first year have been delayed due to the Partnership Manager leaving the organisation. There is a meeting next week to discuss the future of the NEP.
Mr Sutherland added that the NEP originated from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture network of Local Nature Partnerships to bring together organisations in the county who have an interest in the environment under one governance body and to take forward any issues on the natural environment in a collegiate view.
The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the effects on Local Government needs to be looked at as part of the Committee Work Programme. Mr Sutherland explained that work has taken place in terms of looking at the risk to Council Services and how they can adapt to extreme weather and climate change.
The Chairman said it would be good if the Bernwood Forest concept became part of an energy reduction scheme in terms of new woodland.
Ms Toresen-Owuor reported that a discussion has taken place with David Green on the potential for the Bernwood Forest zone and the possibility of prioritising the agricultural estate in that area.
The Cabinet Member invited Members of the ETL Committee to be involved in the development of the Energy Company.
The Chairman thanked the presenters for their very informative update.
Supporting documents:
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