That:

1)        the outcome of the joint tender process, which has been subject to EU regulations and has been advertised accordingly, be noted;

2)        the successful joint bid to the Department of Transport’s (DfT’s) Challenge Fund and the resultant contribution to the project costs be noted; and

3)        approval be given for the joint project to proceed;

4)        the capital budget of £4m, plus the £8.12m ring fenced Government grant be approved.  The expected profile for this spend is £80,000 current year, £1.825m in Year 2, £1.825m in Year 3 and £0.27m in Year 4.

The Executive considered a report setting out the outcome of the joint tender process with Slough and Reading Councils for a Street Lighting Upgrade Project.  The project would result in more than £500k savings in its first four years through the significant reduction in energy and maintenance costs within the street lighting service.  It would also: reduce CO₂ emissions and general light pollution; the risk to the public of column failures; whilst providing a better quality of light.

Members were advised that a successful bid from the DfTs’s Challenge Fund had been made resulting in an expected £8.12m contribution towards the total £12.12m cost of the project.  In addition to the £500k savings the project would continue to deliver savings throughout the life of the project estimated to total some £9.5m in total; even after taking into account the cost of borrowing.

Councillor Jorgensen commented that some LED lights had already been installed in a number of areas in the Boroughs and they were working well and definitely reducing the amount of light pollution.  She asked that any new lights should not be erected so that they could become hidden by trees.

The Leader of Council was pleased to see that town and parish councils had been invited to potentially participate in the project. 

RESOLVED that:

1)        the outcome of the joint tender process, which has been subject to EU regulations and has been advertised accordingly, be noted;

2)        the successful joint bid to the Department of Transport’s (DfT’s) Challenge Fund and the resultant contribution to the project costs be noted; and

3)        approval be given for the joint project to proceed;

4)        the capital budget of £4m, plus the £8.12m ring fenced Government grant be approved.  The expected profile for this spend is £80,000 current year, £1.825m in Year 2, £1.825m in Year 3 and £0.27m in Year 4.