To consider a Scrutiny Report.

Councillor Paul Rickett, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel ‘Review of the Carbon Reduction Plan and associated carbon reduction activity at ELDC’ presented a report together with the recommendations of the panel (attached at Appendix to the report), page 196 of the report refers.

Councillor Rickett commended the report to Council and stated that he was happy to take questions arising from the report.

N.B.  Councillor Terry Knowles left the Meeting at 4.50pm.

A Member referred to adding a Photovoltaic (PV) on car port solution in car parks, page 193 of the Agenda refers and highlighted to Members that the Hub Solar Project was to pilot on this scheme.  However, it was reported that this was now not considered the right solution at this stage due to cost and needed considering against other emerging potential solutions.  It was highlighted how quickly plans changed and that the report emphasised that this did not happen automatically with local government often having to make the initial investments.

A Member commented that a lot of contract works were undertaken through a framework process and queried whether contractors’ carbon reduction credentials were advertised as part of the process and were considered when offering the contract.  An anecdotal example was provided in relation to the Warm Homes Grant with regards to quality and costings of two local solar panel installations.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel responded that the Panel had looked into this as part of the scrutiny process and had spoken to the Procurement Team.  Assurance had been given that this was well policed, with a harsh penalty if the criteria was not met, including losing the contract.  He added that he would seek out the related information and was happy to share this detail with the Member concerned.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction advised Members that the Council had a Warm Homes Grant Team and further explained the process for the grants, including the process undertaken by the contractors.  He confirmed that there was a stringent checking system, and that Members of the team would undertake checks upon completion of the work.  He added that there was currently only one contractor and that only positive comments had been received from people whose homes had undergone improvements.

A Member queried in relation to social value whether the Council always bought local and whether this was a number one priority.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction responded that he understood contracts were issued from a framework and that the contractor sourced the materials.  Anything in addition to this would be procured through the Carbon Reduction Team who would look at the best quality, carbon reduction and price, however, would ask for clarification from the Group Manager, Climate Change and Carbon Reduction.

The Chairman thanked the Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel for his comprehensive report.

RESOLVED

• That the attached report be noted.

• That the recommendations by the relevant Portfolio Holder be fully considered, with a subsequent response back to the Overview Committee.