Decision details

At its meeting of 18th January 2023, Council approved the use of UKSPF funds to deliver the council’s Cultural Strategy.

At the same meeting, Council delegated decision-making authority to the Head of Housing and Health, acting in consultation with the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, regarding sustainability projects.

Although the council’s electricity is provided through a carbon free electricity tariff, there is a case for exploring the potential of generating its own renewal energy through the installation of PV solar panels on the council's buildings in that if installation were to go head, this could (a) reduce the call on the national grid and (b) act as a ‘demonstrator project’ for other organisations and residents.

To assess the feasibility of installation, in the first instance the council wishes to assess the technical, financial and legal feasibility of installing rooftop solar PV on at least ten council owned buildings. The properties to be included in this feasibility study will be determined via an initial consideration of all the council’s asset by council officers and the consultant, taking account of existing information and previous studies.

Commission Phil Whiting Consulting, an independent energy and sustainability consultancy, to carry out a study into the technical, financial and legal feasibility of installing PV solar panels on ten properties within the council’s estate at a cost of £9,760, funded from the council’s allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund monies.

Option 1 - Not fund the feasibility study. NOT RECOMMENDED as this is important feasibility work to enable possible future schemes to come forward that could meet the national greenhouse gas emissions outcomes envisaged by the UKSPF.

Option 2 - Commission the feasibility study. RECOMMENDED for the reasons given.