Agenda item

[A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for Members to debate this item]

To consider a recommendation from the Executive in relation to the commencement of a solar farm in Barkham.

RECOMMENDATION That, subject to securing the necessary planning consents, Executive asks Council to:

1)               recommend the capital expenditure of the £20,283,000 funded from borrowing as previously set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan;

2)              approve delegation of decisions around the final extent and configuration of the Solar Farm to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Finance Officer) in conjunction with the Lead Member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions where scheme amendments will not result in the average annual net income after capital financing costs falling below £200k;

3)               note the estimated net income (after running costs and capital financing costs) of £12.0m over 25 years (equal to £480k per year on average) will be introduced into the Councils annual budget using an equalisation reserve;

4)               approve commencement of the Solar Farm at Barkham.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 91 to 102, which sought approval for the development of a solar farm on Council-owned land at Barkham.

The report stated that the proposed solar farm would produce enough energy to offset the Council’s total carbon emissions. It would also generate a return on investment in excess of 5% which would provide funds for investment in other priorities in the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The decision was referred to full Council due to the value of the investment required. It was felt that the development of the solar farm would be a significant statement of intent in the Council’s move towards “net zero”.

It was proposed by Gregor Murray and seconded by Laura Blumenthal that the recommendations in the report be approved.

It was moved by Sarah Kerr and seconded by Imogen Shepherd-Dubey that Recommendation 4 in the report be amended as follows:

“4) approve commencement of the Solar farm at Barkham subject to the full business case, and Recommendations 1, 2 and 3 being recommended for approval by the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee first.”

Sarah Kerr stated that the principle of generating renewable energy was accepted. However, the proposals in the report were not supported by a robust business case with transparent financial information.

Gregor Murray stated that the proposed amendment was not acceptable.

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was lost. The voting was as follows:

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendations in the report were approved. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED That, subject to securing the necessary planning consents, Council:

1)     approve the Capital expenditure of £20,283,000 funded from borrowing, as previously set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan;

2)     approve delegation of decisions around the final extent and configuration of the Solar farm to the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Finance Officer) in conjunction with the Lead Member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions where scheme amendments will not result in the average annual net income after capital financing costs falling below £200k;

3)     note the estimated net income (after running costs and Capital financing costs) of £12m over 25 years (equal to £480k per year on average) will be introduced into the Council’s annual Budget using an equalisation reserve;

4)     approve commencement of the Solar Farm at Barkham.