Issue - meetings

1.    That the procurement of electricity and gas via end user agreements with Hampshire County Council, under the LASER Energy Framework, be approved.

2.    That it be agreed that the energy Winchester City Council consumes is purchased in a flexible manner by Hampshire County Council, using the existing energy purchasing strategy of both “purchase in advance” and “purchase within period”.

3.    That it be agreed to continue to purchase green electricity and green gas as per the existing contracts.

4.    That the Strategic Director be authorised to enter into call off agreements via the LASER Energy Framework for the duration of the contract (4 years).

5.    That delegated authority be granted to the Service Lead: Legal to execute and enter into all necessary contractual agreement.

6.    That it be agreed that a report be presented to Carbon board setting out potential options to deliver green gas to the residents of  Danemark Court, Makins Court, Matilda Place, Milford/Gordon Watson House and Whitewings House.

As noted above, Councillor Becker declared a pecuniary interest in response of this report and left the room during its consideration and took no part in discussion or decision thereon.

Councillor Tod introduced the report which sought approval to continue using the LASER Energy Framework for the supply of gas and electric to the council for a 4-year period, commencing April 2025.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Lee addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lee

He welcomed the significant reduction in the council's carbon emissions due to the procurement of green energy but requested further evidence behind the statement about the financial savings achieved by the previous contract.  He raised a number of detailed points including a suggestion that the possibility of corporate power purchase agreement be explored to ensure long-term energy from solar farms.  He also queried how much of the council’s overall energy consumption was “green” and whether it would be possible for an LED display of the council’s real-time energy consumption and carbon savings to be installed in the council offices.

Councillor Tod, the Strategic Director and the Energy Manager responded to the questions raised, including confirming that all the energy used by the council was “green” and the idea of a real-time display would be investigated further but were advised that real time displays potentially still had a reporting lag

In relation to paragraph 5.2 of the report, the Strategic Director clarified that the properties listed were not currently supplied by green gas and there could be a financial impact on tenants if this became a requirement.  Cabinet suggested that the possibility of introducing green gas in these properties be investigated further and agreed a new resolution six to the report (as detailed below) to facilitate this.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.                That the procurement of electricity and gas via end user agreements with Hampshire County Council, under the LASER Energy Framework, be approved.

2.                That it be agreed that the energy Winchester City Council consumes is purchased in a flexible manner by Hampshire County Council, using the existing energy purchasing strategy of both “purchase in advance” and “purchase within period”.

3.                That it be agreed to continue to purchase green electricity and green gas as per the existing contracts.

4.                That the Strategic Director be authorised to enter into call off agreements via the LASER Energy Framework for the duration of the contract (4 years).

5.                That delegated authority be granted to the Service Lead: Legal to execute and enter into all necessary contractual agreement.

6.                That it be agreed that a report be presented to Carbon board setting out potential options to deliver green gas to the residents of Danemark Court, Makins Court, Matilda Place, Milford/Gordon Watson House and Whitewings House.