To review the Council’s performance against the corporate Environmental Strategy targets and to update the committee on the Council’s targets in relation to climate change and carbon management, with particular reference to the Council’s own carbon emissions.

The Committee reviewed the Council’s performance against the corporate Environmental Strategy targets and received an update on the Council’s targets in relation to climate change and carbon management, with particular reference to the Council’s own carbon emissions.

The Assistant Director of Environment and Culture presented the report and, while acknowledging that the Council could always do more, he highlighted that the Council had retained its ISO14001 certification and referred to the wide-ranging initiatives set out at paragraph 5 of the report.  He also informed the Committee that Amey Herefordshire were part of the Council’s performance framework.

The Committee went through the report on a page by page basis and during the course of debate the following principal points were noted:

• It was suggested on a number of occasions that greater emphasis should be given to promoting carbon reductions through the employment of a Climate Change Officer.  The Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) commented that greater benefit would be gained by changing people’s attitudes, illustrated by the Age of Stupid film.  The Director of Environment and Culture also pointed out that the suggestion to employ a Climate Change officer could be seen as relieving the staff from their responsibility to make carbon reductions, which was included in all the Council’s service delivery plans.
• Responding to questions on carbon reduction measures by schools the Committee noted that one member of the Sustainability Team devoted 2 days per week to supporting Eco-schools.  While schools were autonomous from the Council the Cabinet Member (E&ST) undertook to discuss with fellow Cabinet Members whether further support could be made.  Members were reminded that as governors of schools they could influence schools in their efficiency measures.
• Noting that the latest DEFRA figures had put Herefordshire well above the average carbon dioxide emission per person (NI186), the Director E&C reminded the Committee that the rural nature of the County would have an adverse effect on the statistics.
• It was suggested that greater emphasis should be given to improving the energy efficiency of new building developments, including the use of renewable natural resources.  The Cabinet Member E&SH reported that this matter was being progressed through the current work of developing the Local Development Framework.
• Responding to similar questions on Council new build projects the Head of Asset Management and Property Services reported that the current aim was to build to the “very good” assessment level and this was contained in a revised Asset Management Plan which was due for Executive consideration later in the month.  The Committee requested a report on the actions being taken to design efficiencies into Council/school new build schemes.
• Concerned about the increase in ‘non-conformities’ arising from ISO 14001 surveillance visits the Committee were informed that  these had related to office systems  to manage the process and all had now been addressed.
• A point was made that as the Council’s carbon target included carbon emissions by its contractors, then it should be right to expect proper monitoring of those contractors.  It was therefore suggested that quarterly returns should be submitted on their carbon emissions.  The Director E&C reminded the Committee that the Council had many thousands of contractors. Following debate on whether this should relate to all, main or major contractors the Cabinet Member E&SH undertook to consider the issue and report back to the Chairman.
• A number of members expressed their frustration concerning the lack of information concerning the precise number of vehicles operated by the Council and their CO2 rating.  The Assistant Director E&C reported that these figures could be supplied as they were included in a report arising out of a recent review of the council’s vehicle fleet undertaken by the Energy Saving Trust.  Expressing concern that baseline data may not be established the Committee were also informed that this was also contained in the report and that the final report could be considered by the Committee in due course. 
• Questioned whether the various carbon reduction targets referred to in paragraphs 15-17 of the report would be me the Director of E&C undertook to provide a report to a future meeting.
• The Service Director, Amey Herefordshire, informed the Committee that Amey had set itself a 10% carbon reduction target for this year and he was confident that they would meet that target.  In this context the Committee questioned why the Council were only aiming for a 1.25% annual reduction.
• Noting that carbon reductions would be built into Directorate and Service Plans for 2010/11 and that training may be needed, the Committee sought clarification over the type of training to be given and the budget for it (paragraph 26 of the report).  The Committee suggested that the Executive give urgent consideration to staff training in the accounting for, and reduction in, carbon emissions.
• The Committee briefly discussed various aspects of Council contracts and in particular the apparent scaling down, due to financial constraints, of some design features that could in the long term provide environmental benefits.  The Committee suggested that the Executive needed to give carful consideration to investing now for future environmental benefits.
• Noting the work undertaken on Display Energy Certificates (DECs) (see paragraph 22 of the report) the Committee questioned the effectiveness of DECs and requested that a full report on DECs together with building profiles, be presented to the March 2010 meeting.
• Noting that the introduction next April of the mandatory Carbon Reduction Commitment could provide an additional financial spur to increase energy efficiency in Council and school buildings, concern was expressed by the Committee that this could be very costly to the Council, evidenced in the report (see paragraph 29) that anticipated Council expenditure could be up to £200k per year for carbon credits.
• It was suggested that the Cabinet Member (E&SH) investigate whether low or nil interest loans e.g. offered through the SALIX Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, could be used to finance the replacement of outdated equipment e.g. street lighting.
• In relation to the Performance Report 2008/9, appended to the agenda report, members criticised the fact that some data was still unavailable.  The Assistant Director E&C acknowledged that the content of the action plan needed to be refreshed to ensure that it provided useful information.
• It was suggested that there was a lack of incentive for service areas to reduce their CO2 as any resultant savings to their budgets were likely to be kept centrally.  The Committee suggested that the Cabinet Member (E&SH) consider introducing incentives to reward those areas that make significant reductions in their CO2 e.g. a rebate on their budget.
• While noting the effect of a better flare at the Stretton Sugwas landfill site in reducing emissions by converting methane to CO2 and water, the Committee noted that the possible uses of the flare, which currently produced poor quality gas with a bad flow rate, was being kept under review.

RESOLVED: That

1. the Cabinet Member (E&SH) consider expediting improved levels of building regulations to bring greater energy efficiency in property developments including the greater use of renewable natural resources;

2. an update report be presented to the next  meeting setting out the actions being taken in relation to building efficiencies designed into new council/school properties;

3. the Committee suggests to the Executive that the Council’s major contractors are asked to submit regular (e.g. quarterly) returns on their carbon emissions so that they can be monitored to ascertain that on-going improvements are being achieved.  This is on the basis that contractors are, at present, responsible for 88% of the Council’s transport carbon emissions;

4. a report be made to the next meeting on the findings by the Energy Saving Trust into the Council’s vehicle fleet, detailing in particular the number of vehicles owned and maintained by the Council, specifically detailing vehicle age and emissions;

5. a progress report be brought to the next meeting setting out the Council’s intended actions to achieve the Carbon Reduction Targets;

6. the Committee suggests that the Executive give urgent consideration to staff training in the accounting for, and reduction in, carbon emissions;

7. when considering future contracts, the Executive should give carful consideration to how any short term savings made to reduce the cost of the contract could impact on any long term environmental and financial benefits that may be achieved by investing for the future;

8. a report on Display Energy Certificates (DECs), including buildings down to 750sqm in size, indicating the efficiency of the building with a building profile, be reported to the March 2010 meeting;

9. the Committee suggest to the Executive that renewed effort be resourced via our Climate Change Management Team to support schools through their Eco-Management, in particular in relation to reducing energy use;

10. the Committee suggest to the Cabinet Member (H&T) that opportunities be sought e.g. via the SALEX Scheme to investigate nil percentage interest loans to aid the replacement of outdated street lighting;

11. that the Cabinet Member (E&SH) consider introducing incentives to reward those service areas that make significant reductions in their CO2. e.g. a rebate on their budget; and

12. that the report be noted.