Agenda item

To receive the report of the Director, Corporate Estates, providing Members with an update on Corporate Estates energy and carbon reduction.

The Director of Corporate Estates provided Members with a report in respect of relevant developments to Energy and Carbon Reduction.

Members were reminded that the report should be considered as part of the main ‘Discussion Paper- Work Programme for the Climate Change Cabinet Steering Group’.

The Director reminded Members that the Energy Invest to Save programme for Financial Year 2020/21 is in the process of being finalised but is envisaged to commit the Council to invest at least a further £1.4m on energy and carbon reduction improvements. 

Discussions ensued and a Member referred the Group to the considerable investment that has been made by the Council into more Energy efficient Street Lighting. Members were reminded that all Street lights in the County Borough have now been converted to their LED equivalent , and this, along with part night and dimming policies, have resulted in a 75% reduction in the energy used.

Another Member referred the Group to the £7m that has been invested by the Council in Energy Reduction measures and the estimated energy reductions of over 18m MW of Energy. The Member commented that it would be useful to receive the MW hours that have been saved as a direct result of energy reduction measures.

Discussions continued and a Member emphasised the importance of showing the public what measures have been taken over the past ten years by Rhondda Cynon Taf to invest in energy reduction measures. The Member referred the Group to the Council’s policy of agile working and the Council’s paper light approach. In this respect, a Member queried what steps have been taken by the Council to install electric charging points throughout the County Borough. The Director of Corporate Estates informed the Group that the Council has added in new Electric Vehicle installation charging points for every new Council project going forward.

In respect of agile working, a Member questioned whether an increase use of IT equipment was good for the environment. The Member commented that agile working could possibly result in an increased use of energy. Discussions ensued and a number of Members agreed that overall, agile working uses less energy consumption and is a positive step towards energy and carbon reduction. 

Members noted the need for the Council to promote the work that has already been done by the Authority in respect of carbon and energy reduction and emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge and information. It was noted that RCT are the first Local Authority to form a Climate Change Steering Group to specifically tackle the Climate Change emergency and agreed that as a Local Authority proactive steps need to be taken going forward. 

The Group Director- Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services informed Members that considerable work is being done in respect of the Council’s fleet policy and that the Council are using pool cars and hybrid vehicles. However, the Group Director also emphasised that technology in this area is still being developed and that there is still a long way to go to tackle carbon emissions. In respect of low carbon vehicle infrastructure, the Service Director of Communications & Democratic Services noted that the Steering Group will monitor infrastructure and the Group’s recommendations will be reported back to the Cabinet.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update in respect of Corporate Estates Energy and Carbon Reduction.