Issue - meetings

That:

1)        the proposals and the anticipated outcomes as set out in the report be noted;

2)        the decision to invest in the carbon neutrality proposals in Dinton Activity Centre and Addington School to significantly reduce the carbon emission of the new buildings in line with the Council’s net zero carbon by 2030 target be confirmed;

3)        an additional capital budget of £483,900 financed by borrowing and fully repaid from savings generated through reduced energy costs be approved;

4)        it be noted that the annual financial cost reductions in excess of the capital financing costs will be set aside to provide for component replacement in future years.

The Executive considered a report providing an update on capital projects relating to a replacement provision at Dinton Activity Centre and the expansion of Addington School both of which would assist with the delivery of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The Executive Member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions informed the meeting that an additional capital budget of £483,900 was being requested to finance the two climate emergency projects.  The first related to the use of environmentally friendly technology eg air source heat pumps, alterations to the domestic hot water systems, solar panels both on the roof and in the car park, etc. to reduce the energy usage of Dinton Activity Centre.  This project would reduce and offset carbon at the facility which would lead to it becoming energy positive i.e. it would generate 126% more energy than it uses and would take 30% more carbon from the environment than it produces.  Councillor Murray stated that the intention was to roll this out to other Council assets in the coming months.

Councillor Murray informed the meeting that the second project related to the addition of solar panels to the Addington School new build.  Unfortunately the design process had been too advanced, and build deadlines too close, to add additional climate infrastructure at that phase.  The project would, however, still cut carbon emissions by 49.7% and improve energy efficiency versus the original plan by 46%.

Councillor Murray reiterated that the motion, supported by Council last year, did agree that the Council would play as active a role as possible in fighting climate change with the objective of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 if possible.  The Council was, of course, reliant on other bodies eg Highways England, Southwest Trains and Reading Buses, as well as Central Government and the energy companies, to play their part in achieving carbon neutrality. 

RESOLVED that:

1)        the proposals and the anticipated outcomes, as set out in the report, be noted;

2)        the decision to invest in the carbon neutrality proposals in Dinton Activity Centre and Addington School to significantly reduce the carbon emission of the new buildings in line with the Council’s net zero carbon by 2030 target, be confirmed;

3)        an additional capital budget of £483,900 financed by borrowing and fully repaid from savings generated through reduced energy costs be approved;

4)        it be noted that the annual financial cost reductions in excess of the capital financing costs will be set aside to provide for component replacement in future years.