Issue - meetings

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

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services advised that the report provided an update on progress of the Micro-Hydro Feasibility Study carried out in Cwm and Llanhilleth and sought approval for the next steps of the Project. The Corporate Director noted the potential eleven areas for investigation and advised that following further research sites in Llanhilleth and Cwm were determined as the preferred locations. Although electricity could be generated at the aforementioned areas it was decided that at this time it was not feasible for the Council to take the work forward further investigations and development.

It was reported that the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee supported the preferred option as the Council had committed to undertake investigations at all eleven areas identified as worthy sites of further exploration for hydro generation.

The Deputy Leader felt that all aspects of energy should be considered in line with work being undertaken around carbonisation and although the commercial element for Council investment was not available, there could be other opportunities to be explored in our communities.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Council choose not to take these schemes forward for further investigation and development. The projects would be closed from the current point and would only be revisited should costs significantly reduce or new technologies become available (Option 1).