Issue - items at meetings - Photovoltaic Solar Panel Implementation Plan for non-housing properties

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached).

(1)         That Cabinet notes the outcome of the initial soft tendering exercise and recent framework contract development indicates that there is an outline business case to support delivery of a solar photovoltaic scheme across the council’s non-housing stock that saves energy costs and reduces carbon emissions.

(2)         That Cabinet approves the installation of Photovoltaic Solar Panels on the properties highlighted in appendix 1 subject to completion of the tendering exercise and the financial viability of each site.

(3)         That Cabinet approve funding of up to £2.6m for the sites identified within Appendix 1. The business case will be funded through a combination of borrowing and the use of reserves subject to the Council’s overall financial position.

(4)         That Cabinet delegates authority to the Strategic Director Resources and the Director Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services to allow them to approve the purchase and installation of the panels for these identified properties through the self finance route, once more detailed costs are provided at the end of the tender process. This will allow the Council to move quickly and take advantage of the energy savings and be able to collect the full Feed in Tariff from the start.

16.1         The Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources providing an update on the implementation of renewables within non-housing Council properties and in particular the installation of Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to roof spaces on a select list of sites; the report sought approval for the purchase of solar panel equipment once detailed figures and a viable business case had been demonstrated at the end of the procurement process.

16.2         Councillor Kitcat advised that 40 sites had been identified and that it was hoped that progress on 23 of them would be made quite quickly. The intention was for the scheme to be self-financed as this would achieve the best value for money for the council. It was anticipated that the Feed In Tariff (FIT) would bring in revenue of between £40,000 and £160,000 each year.

16.3         Councillor Theobald welcomed the continuation of an initiative that had been started under the previous Administration and noted the potential for financial savings and reducing carbon emissions. He questioned whether self-financing the scheme would be more beneficial than seeking private seeking funding.

16.4         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the proposals and highlighted the importance of timing. She noted the cross-party support for the initiative, both locally and nationally, but stated that she had been disappointed that there was no mention of the work undertaken by a recent scrutiny panel on the issue and that the panel had not been privy to much of the information in the report.

16.5         Councillor Kitcat agreed to provide a more detailed written response about the financing of the initiative, but explained that the council could borrow money more cheaply than private sector companies, resulting in a better deal. He stated that, with regard to work of the scrutiny panel, the new Administration intended to be open and inclusive, which included co-operating with Overview & Scrutiny.

16.6         RESOLVED - That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

(1)         That it be noted that the outcome of the initial soft tendering exercise and recent framework contract development indicated that there was an outline business case to support delivery of a solar photovoltaic scheme across the council’s non-housing stock that would save energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

(2)         That the installation of Photovoltaic Solar Panels on the properties highlighted in appendix 1 be approved, subject to completion of the tendering exercise and the financial viability of each site.

(3)         That funding of up to £2.6m for the sites identified within Appendix 1 be approved. The business case would be funded through a combination of borrowing and the use of reserves subject to the Council’s overall financial position.

(4)         That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Resources and the Director Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services to allow them to approve the purchase and installation of the panels for the identified properties through the self finance route, once more detailed costs were provided at the end of the tender process. This would allow the Council to move quickly and take advantage of the energy savings and be able to collect the full Feed in Tariff from the start.