Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed them that the meeting was being streamed live on You Tube. 

To watch the recording of the meeting click here.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor S Collop

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

Councillors Devereux, Holmes, Rust and Ryves for item EC172.

If any.

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The Chair informed the Panel that he had received information from Councillor Bullen on Urban Wildlife.  The information is attached and it was noted that the item would be added to the Work Programme.

To consider the report (to follow) and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

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The Assistant Director, Planning presented the report.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Kemp congratulated those involved in the initiative and asked for clarification on the percentages of savings of carbon outputs across facilities.  The Energy Efficiency and Greenspace Officer agreed to send the details to Councillors.  With regard to surplus energy it was explained that it was more cost effective to use this on site, but there were options available to export it to the grid.

In response to questions from Councillor Bullen regarding Re:Fit and Ameresco and the Assistant Director outlined the procurement process and the framework agreements.  It was also confirmed that some sub-contractors would be used.

Councillor Bubb commented that he hoped that British parts and local contractors were used where possible.  He also asked about ongoing maintenance and it was confirmed that this was not covered by the grant funding.

Councillor Holmes addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He noted the short timescales involved and asked if the procurement of items would fit into this process.  He also asked if Covid would have an impact on delivery.  The Assistant Director explained that lots of work had been carried out to get the bid in and to move the project forward and the ordering of heat pumps etc would be considered.

Councillor Ryves addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He commented that the project would not make a massive difference to the Carbon output of the Borough and the Assistant Director explained that savings should be realised after five years.  It was also confirmed that the project was 100% funded by the Government and that all public services had the opportunity to bid for funding.

Councillor Kunes, the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change commended the project and the cumulative impact of these projects on the environment needed to be considered. 

Councillor Bambridge commented that consideration needed to be given to the maintenance of air source heat pumps.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley regarding the Guildhall, the Assistant Director confirmed that careful consideration would be given to the Listed Building and meetings to take the project forward were being held.  In response to a question regarding air and ground source heat pumps and underfloor heating the difference between the pumps were outlined by the Energy Efficiency and Greenspace Officer and how they worked with underfloor heating.

Councillor Dark, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Public Protection, congratulated the Council on the successful bid for grant funding and explained that the Council was taking a lead and the Council should be proud of delivering this project and others that could come forward in the future.

Councillor Rust addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She raised concerns about the tight timescales to apply for the grant and the time allowed to spend the funding.  She asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC172:

Councillor Bullen had swift boxes available for Members to use in their Ward if required.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on 20^th April 2021.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 20^th April 2021.