Agenda item

1)    It was approved to prioritise £1,640,495 from the climate fund for the following projects:

a)    Green Fleet Plan - £1,048,400

b)    Lighting Upgrades Pilot Scheme - £416,617

c)    Heat Pumps Scheme - £175,478

2)    To delegate the right to prioritise the remaining expenditure of the climate plan fund to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Members of the Climate and Nature Board.

The report was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys

DECISION

1)    It was approved to prioritise £1,640,495 from the climate fund for the following projects:

a)    Green Fleet Plan - £1,048,400

b)    Lighting Upgrading Pilot Scheme - £416,617

c)    Heat Pumps Scheme - £175,478

2)    To delegate the right to prioritise the remaining expenditure of the climate plan fund to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Members of the Climate and Nature Board.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted by the Chief Executive by noting that this report requested to fund Climate and Nature Emergency Plan projects. It had been noted back in November 2022 that the Cabinet had agreed to use funding from the general fund to finance an investment plan in solar panels with the revenue savings contributing towards the Council's savings scheme.

It was noted that this bid would fund 3 substantial specific projects.  The first was the Green Fleet Plan. It was noted that in January 2023, the Cabinet had adopted a Green Fleet plan with the aim of providing a safe, effective, and zero-emission fleet for the Council's services. It was noted that 67 diesel and petrol vehicles were reaching the end of their life during 2023/24 and 2024/25 therefore in accordance with the Green Fleet Plan they would be replaced with electric vehicles.

The second scheme was the Lighting Upgrading Pilot Scheme. It was noted that changing lights in most of the Council's buildings required a significant investment and would take years to be completed. It was highlighted that street lighting upgrades had been carried out over recent years and adapting it reduced carbon emissions. It was explained that the aim was to carry out a pilot of six different buildings before deciding whether to proceed to expand it across the Council.

The third scheme was to place heat pumps, by following the same principle of running a pilot scheme. The Council had succeeded to receive a grant to install heat pumps at three sites in Gwynedd. To claim the grant, there was a need to invest 10% in match funding. It was noted that it was an opportunity to trial a low carbon heating method and learn lessons prior to considering upgrading the rest of the buildings.

It was noted that other opportunities were highlighted in the report, and it was noted that the decision asked to delegate the right to prioritise the expenditure to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Members of the Climate and Nature Board.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·         Support was noted for the plan, but it was noted that following funding these plans, there would be slightly over £1m left, but it was asked what would happen after all the money would be spent. It was noted that £3m was put in the Climate Fund since 2022, but it was explained that because of additional grants that nearly £8m had been spent. Following spending the £3m from the fund, the Cabinet needed to make a decision in terms of prioritising expenditure within the Council.

·         Concern was raised about the complete shift to electric vehicles. It was noted that there may be a need for smaller steps and maybe hybrid vehicles for the countryside. It was emphasised that there would be time for staff to get used to the vehicles and to raise their confidence.  

·         It was asked if there were enough charging points available for the electric vehicles as many had been installed but had not been switched on. It was noted that there was an understanding that these pointswere being switched on in the coming months.

·         It was expressed that these plans were practical and highlighted the Council's successes in receiving grants. The staff were thanked for their work, as well asthe Climate Change Board who worked cross-departmentally.