Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Team Manager Regeneration Opportunities.

Team Manager Regeneration Opportunities presented the report which provided an update on the Energy Prospectus and the activities carried out since its approval in 2019.  An annual review report which contained highlights for each of the Projects identified within the Energy Prospectus was attached at Appendix 1, and the Officer went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.

A Member referred to the District Energy Network and asked whether there was any potential for this within domestic dwellings.

The Team Manager said the cost of connection on The Works site was difficult, however, there was potential for future projects to link into domestic dwellings and all those aspects were included within the Smart Living Programme.

The Member also referred to the low emission fleet, and a timeframe when the smaller electric powered Council vehicles could be expected.

In response the Officer said she was not aware on the exact timescales, but the Team was quite keen to get this progressed, and she understood that proposals were coming forward quite quickly.

A Member commended the report, particularly news of the hydro power project.

Another Member also referred to the District Energy Network and enquired as to the heat loss at the General Offices.

The Officer said there was work that could be undertaken to understand the level of heat loss in the building, however, the measures that could be taken to reduce heat loss was

was restricted as it was a listed building.

The Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services explained that the General Offices was refurbished to the lowest energy loss standards for a listed building, so in terms of the fabric of the building there was little else that could be done.  He said at the time he was disappointed that CADW refused permission to allow the windows and doors to be changed, but as far as energy and heat loss the building was quite efficient.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and the Scrutiny Committee:

·        Continue to support, promote and develop projects within the Energy Prospectus, and to ensure that the document be updated to reflect any additional projects that have emerged; and

·        To also continue to identify future projects that would also meet the vision and objectives of the Council with respect to energy and decarbonisation (Option 2).