To advise members of the Environment Scrutiny Committee of the potential contribution that a strategic approach to asset management might make to the achievement of long term carbon reduction targets.

The Committee were advised of the potential contribution that a strategic approach to asset management might make to the achievement of long term carbon reduction targets.

The Head of Asset Management and Property Services presented his report.  He highlighted that pressure upon asset managers had been progressively growing to critically evaluate policies and practices in respect of carbon management and his report set out how a number of government measures impacted upon how local Authorities conduct their business.  He also highlighted that there were six areas where local authorities can take action to reduce carbon emissions, namely new buildings; energy; procurement; water; waste and travel and his report indicated how these translated into a number of key themes and associated challenges.  Appendix A to the report set out estimated CO2 emissions from Council buildings and Council schemes demonstrating commitment to carbon reduction targets.

On scrutinising the report the following principal comments were noted:

• While substantial savings could be made, in both CO2 and financial terms, to achieve the savings sustained financial investment and a whole organisation commitment to ensure delivery was needed.  The report indicated the CO2 and financial saving reported by four example authorities.  The Committee requested further feed back on the cost v benefits experienced by other authorities.
• Responding to questions on national guidance to contractors the Head of Asset Management and Property Services reported that a whole life appraisal approach had been adopted to include building specifications which used the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) to set standards for new build and large scale adaptations. 
• Responding to whether the above approach had been followed for the replacement Minster College, Leominster, the Head of Asset Management and Property Services reported that the Minster College scheme had been subject to external funding pressures.  He was able to report that the sharing of various heat/power systems were being investigated for the range of public buildings around The Minster College site.
• A view was expressed that, in terms of the Council’s accommodation strategy, while ‘rationalisation/relocation/co-location can reduce reliance on transport’ account needed to be taken that this didn’t have a major effect on the sustainability of the City centre e.g. by collocating all staff to a new site at Rotherwas.
• A range of comments were made namely that while a range of schemes were happening, these seemed to be small, and were unlikely to make the significant improvement needed to achieve the targets.  Conversely, that small improvements can soon add up.  Where possible use should be made of new technology e.g. thin film photovoltaic cells, likewise natural assets should not be overlooked e.g. the use of low head hydropower.  In response the Cabinet Member (Environment) referred to planning PPS22 which allowed authorities to mandate on site renewable energy production as a condition of development, an issue that would be progressed further through the Local Development Framework.

Mr A Talbot, Head of Technical Services, Halo Leisure, was invited to report on the energy/CO2 reductions achieved by Halo Leisure.

Mr Talbot reported that energy efficiency had a direct bearing on the commercial viability of sports and leisure facilities as the energy bill could account for up to a third of the operating costs, and after staff costs, was the second largest item of expenditure.  Halo Leisure was committed to reducing energy to protect the environment through the reduction of carbon and, ensure that leisure facilities in Herefordshire were sustainable for the future.  Halo’s strategy was to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by 20% before 2010. 

Mr Talbot reported that the first and most important requirement for Halo had been accurate and clean data, not only as a starting point for any strategy, but also to provide the information to review and evaluate results.  An Energy Reduction Plan had then been formed which identified targets to be achieved, key projects to reduce carbon, energy use and estimate the return in energy and carbon reduction.  He provided, as an example, a comparison between Ledbury Leisure Centre, which was a modern sports facility approximately 10 years, old and the Leisure pool at Ross-on-Wye, which had been built in the 1970’s and contained old technology along with poor insulation properties.  Due to the work carried out, the Ross pool was now one of the most efficient leisure centres in Herefordshire.  A copy of the overview concerning Ross pool, which was issued at the meeting, has been placed in the Committee minute book.

The Director of Environment and Culture commended the good work undertaken by Halo and, while the Council had many more sites than Halo, through the Joint Management Team the Council were striving to achieve similar results.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and

a)        The Committee recommend that the Cabinet Member (Environment) consider entering into joint working arrangements with HALO to address/reduce the Council’s energy usage/carbon footprint; and

b)        the Committee recommend to the Executive that when entering into a contract the contractor be given clear guidance on the need for energy /carbon management efficiency within the contract.