Issue - meetings

1.    That procurement of electricity and gas via Hampshire County Council and the LASER framework be approved.

2.    That authority is delegated to the Strategic Director - Place and Service Lead - Legal to negotiate terms and to enter into and to execute third party deeds of agreements with supplier terms and conditions under the LASER framework providers for gas and electricity for the period 01 October 2020 – 30 September 2024.

3.    That energy is purchased in a flexible manner through the method known as “Purchase In Advance”.

4.      That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director – Place the option to procure water in addition to gas and electricity through the same framework and enter into relevant contractual arrangements.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which sought approval to enter into a new energy contract for four years under a LASER framework agreement.  The new contract would enable the continued use of the Renewable Energy Guarantees Origin (REGO) backed renewal energy tariff.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor Pearson addressed Cabinet as summarise briefly below.

Generally welcomed the proposals, including participating in the LASER Energy Framework Agreement.  However, believed that the proposed energy supply (Npower) overly relied on carbon offsetting rather than sources of renewal energy supplies from within the district.

Councillor Learney and the Corporate Head of Asset Management (Interim) responded to comments made.  It was emphasised that focus should not be on the company supplying (which might change over time) provided the specific product procured matched the required REGO certificate.  The different options had been thoroughly investigated and there were no producers of green energy from local sources currently available. 

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

RESOLVED:

1.           That procurement of electricity and gas via Hampshire County Council and the LASER framework be approved.

2.           That authority is delegated to the Strategic Director - Place and Service Lead - Legal to negotiate terms and to enter into and to execute third party deeds of agreements with supplier terms and conditions under the LASER framework providers for gas and electricity for the period 01 October 2020 – 30 September 2024.

3.           That energy is purchased in a flexible manner through the method known as “Purchase In Advance”.

4.                 That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director – Place the option to procure water in addition to gas and electricity through the same framework and enter into relevant contractual arrangements.