Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence was received from Councillors J A Hale,

T J Hennegan, C Thomas and L V Walton. 

 

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

 

To approve and sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Business and Administration Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 8 April, 2015 and 19 May, 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Business and Administration Cabinet Advisory Committee Meetings held on 8 April and 19 2015 be approved as a correct record.

 

The Business and Administration Cabinet Advisory Committee Terms of Reference were reported for information. 

 

Presentation by Tanya Nash.

The Sustainable Development Team Leader and Energy Manager provided an overview presentation on Local Authority Approaches To Developing Renewable Energy Systems.  Details provided included the following:

 

Policy background

 

• UK and Wales Governments.
• Commitment to generate 15% renewable energy by 2020.
• Generate up to twice as much renewable electricity annually by 2025 as Wales used in 2010.
• By 2050 almost all of local energy needs are met by low carbon electricity production.
• Government policies and support mechanisms to support development of renewable technologies (FiT, CfD, HNDU, Community Energy Strategy).
• Wales to get greater control over energy policy in the future.
• Development of a green infrastructure investment portfolio in Wales.

 

Local Authorities

 

• Most Local Authorities focus on solar PV schemes and district heating over wind, solar, thermal, hydro, tidal, etc.
• Solar: roof-mounted (domestic and non-domestic), ground-mounted.
• District Heating: over 150 schemes in development.
• Financial returns versus local social, environmental, economic and community benefits.

 

Local Authority Approaches

 

·         Commercial

 

-        Wrexham: installed PV on 3,000 council houses.

-        Lancashire: invested £12m of pension funds into the solar farm in Oxfordshire.

-        Nottingham, Peterborough, Carmarthenshire, Telford and Wrekin, Woking.

 

·         Community

 

-        Plymouth: Established Social Enterprise (PEC) to deliver solar PV scheme on 20-30 non-domestic properties.

-        Oxford: Launched a £2.3m loan facility for community energy groups to install panels on schools.

-        Lambeth, West Sussex, East Sussex, Cornwall, Bath, Doncaster.

 

 

 

 

 

• Both

 

-        Bristol: Wind farm, solar PV on non-domestic properties for commercial purposes.  Leased non-domestic properties to existing community groups.

-        Cornwall Council: Revolving loan fund for community renewables.

-        Oxford: Low carbon hub.

 

• Corporate Buildings

 

-        8 PV installations.

-        Total estimated annual energy generation - £70,773 KWH/year.

-        Biomass boiler in parks using waste wood from parks operation to heat greenhouses.

-        3 solar thermal installations.

 

• Our Collaborative Approach

 

-        Community renewable energy and enterprise scheme.

-        Feasibility studies.

-        Community focus on building skills, capacity and enterprise in more deprived communities.

-        Recommendations to Cabinet in June 2015.

 

• District Heating

 

-        Secured funding from central government to conduct feasibility studies.

-        Ongoing work to link public sector buildings in Maritime Quarter, SA1 and City Centre redevelopment sites.

-        Current feasibility complete by March 2016 and linked to City Centre procurement.

 

The Committee asked a number of questions of the Officers who responded accordingly. 

 

The Chair circulated the Notes of the Swansea Community Energy and Enterprise (CREES) Meeting held on 15 April 2015 which discussed the renewable energy scheme proposal for information.

 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)       an update presentation be provided regarding Design Print to the next       scheduled meeting;

 

(2)       a more informative list of grants be provided, including how projects are     funded be provided to the next scheduled meeting.