Agenda item

Energy Prospectus Annual Review

To consider the report of the Team Manager Regeneration Opportunities.

Minutes:

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

 

The Team Manager Regeneration Opportunities presented the report which provided an update on progress for the last 12 months on the Energy Prospectus and emerging opportunities for the future.

 

The Officer spoke to the report and highlighted points contained therein.  Section 2.7 of the report highlighted some of the activities that were completed during 2021, and further detail on the projects was contained within Appendix 1 Energy Prospectus Annual Review 2020-21.

 

A Member said this was an excellent report and commended the approach taken by the Council.  He said climate change was one of the biggest challenges moving forward and he was proud to be part of a Council driving in forward.  He referred to the role out of the electric taxis and expressed concern that taxi drivers in the area have stated that it would be difficult for them to achieve sufficient fares to cover the cost of an electric vehicle.  He also expressed concern that people were parking next to charging points and blocking access and asked whether parking restrictions could be implement.

 

In response the Team Leader Regeneration Opportunities said the cost of the taxis had been recognised as an issue for drivers, and Cardiff Capital Region City Deal was looking at funding opportunities.  Following the 2 year programme the taxis would be available to purchase and CCRCD were looking at potential incentive schemes and funding options for that purpose.  She also confirmed that new electricity charging points would be subject to traffic regulation orders to prevent people blocking access.

 

A brief discussion ensued when Members expressed disappointment that a proposal for a micro hydro power project had been rejected.  A Member also asked whether there were any plans to install solar panels on our buildings, particularly on our industrial units.

 

The Officer said it was important to note that other schemes were being considered, and the micro hydro power project may become viable in the future and the background work had already been undertaken.

 

She confirmed that solar panels had been installed on some buildings as part of the RE:Fit Programme, and a number of potential schemes for our business parks were being considered including an energy sharing scheme. 

 

In relation to the electric vehicle charging points, a Member asked whether the location of these had been advertised, and suggested that they be advertised on the notice boards in town centres.  He also asked whether taxi drivers had been informed of the new scheme.

 

The Officer confirmed that work was currently ongoing to advertise the charging points, and the town centre notice boards could be used as part of that work.  She also confirmed that taxi drivers in areas where charging points were up and running had been informed of the scheme, and hopefully by next week all the charging points would go live and all taxi drivers would be informed accordingly.

 

In response to a further question the Officer confirmed that the public charging points were being utilised across the Borough, and usage had doubled in Ebbw Vale in November. 

 

A Member asked whether registered social landlords had expressed an interest in charging points on their housing estates.

 

The Officer said this had not been discussed, however, there had been some discussion around charging points for their fleet vehicles moving forward.

 

In response to a further question regarding charging points at fast food outlets and new developments, the Officer said she understood there were some planning requirements, but this depended on the scale of the development etc.

 

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

 

·        Continue to support and promote and develop the projects within the energy prospectus; and to ensure that the document was updated to reflect any additional projects that have emerged; and

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

 

Supporting documents: