Issue - meetings

The Board considered an update of the work of the Energy Efficiency Group which was established to promote and pursue actions to secure more efficient energy use by the Council.

The Executive Director - Partnerships and Projects, Mr. Street, informed Members that the primary purpose of the Energy Efficiency Group was to monitor the implementation of the recommendations made by the Energy Savings Trust and it was reported that considerable progress had been made, as detailed within the appendix to the report.  He stated that the Energy Efficiency Group had met twice and a third meeting was planned.

It was explained that the Group had also begun to consider wider sustainability issues as many of the recommendations in the Energy Savings Trust report were inter-linked with other aspects of the Council’s activities.  This led to a brief discussion as there was a concern that sustainability was not formally one of the Council’s priorities. 

There were also questions raised relating to Asset Management, the role of the Audit Board in relation to the Council’s use of resources and the Asset Management Plan, partnership working with Worcestershire County Council, links with the Bromsgrove Strategic Partnership, funding received from Defra and possible funding for training from Carbon Trust.

RESOLVED:

(a)    that the report be noted; and

(b)    that the Executive Director - Partnerships and Projects explore what grants may be available to the Council for training in relation to Energy Efficiency, particularly from Carbon Trust.