COUNCIL MEETING, 27 NOVEMBER 2003

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT

PART I

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BILL

1. At its meeting on 24 July 2003, the County Council referred a Motion from Councillor B. D. Dash on the Sustainable Energy Bill to the Executive Member for Environment for consideration. The substantive Motion was as follows:-

"This Council supports sustainable energy and accordingly supports the Sustainable Energy Bill, which gives statutory backing to the following targets, namely:

· an increase in domestic energy efficiency of 20% by 2010 as recommended by the Performance and Innovation Unit's `Energy Review', the Energy Savings Trust and the Sustainable Development Commission;


· the generation of 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020;


· the generation of 10 GW of electricity by combined heat and power by 2010
and so resolves to:

(i) support the Sustainable Energy Bill;

(ii) inform the Association for the Conservation of Energy of this support;

(iii) include an assessment of the use of CHP in feasibility studies for all
County Council major building projects."

2. The Executive Member for Environment considered the matter at his decision making meeting on 16 September 2003 and supports the thrust of the Motion. The County Council supports sustainable energy through a number of areas of work, particularly in the Environment Department and the Property, Business and Regulatory Services. There is strong emphasis on local authorities to invest in renewable energy in order to address climate change issues and cut emissions of all greenhouse gases as part of the Kyoto protocol. It is widely accepted that the generation and consumption of power cannot continue as at present and a move towards a sustainable future with power generated by renewable sources coupled with a reduction in consumption is paramount, a view which is supported by the Local Government Association.

3. There are a number of key issues for the planning authorities in Hampshire, one of which is the location of development and infrastructure and how to reduce and manage the demand for energy in the most effective way. District authorities have a statutory obligation to promote domestic energy conservation through the "Home Energy Conservation Act" of 1995. Although the County Council does not have the same obligations, it would welcome the introduction of guidance to all local authorities on the delivery of energy efficiency targets through planning policy, especially by developing links between national, regional and local policy.

4. The County Council is committed to reducing emissions and addressing its obligations in respect of climate change and sustainable development through the Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy and obligations under the Nottingham Declaration. With regard to climate change, an audit of the County Council's activities is underway and an invitation has been accepted from the Carbon Trust to take part in the first phase of a pilot of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. The aim of this pilot for the County Council is to realise emissions savings in the region of 5% per annum from estates and fleets.

5. In conclusion, the County Council is working hard to increase the use of renewable energy resources, reduce energy consumption and mitigate the effect of its activities on climate change.

RECOMMENDATION

(i) that Hampshire County Council supports the provisions of the Sustainable Energy Bill.

(ii) that the Association for the Conservation of Energy be informed of this support.

(iii) that the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be asked to consider the provision of combined heat and power as part of the sustainability assessment in feasibility studies for County Council major building projects.

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