Agenda Item No
The Vale of Glamorgan Council
Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources): 19th January
2010
Report of the Director of Finance, ICT and Property
Commit the Vale of Glamorgan Council to Signing up to the 10:10
Carbon Emission Campaign
Purpose of the Report
1.
To address issues relating to the request for
consideration submitted by Councillor R.F. Curtis in respect of
the Council signing up to the 10:10 Campaign.
Recommendation
1.
That Members consider whether the Council participates in the 10:10
Campaign.
Reason for the Recommendation
1.
The Council has to decide whether a campaign such as this will be
of benefit in publicising the efforts that are being made in light
of the fact that several other authorities such as Cardiff City
Council and Rhondda Cynnon Taf County Borough Council are
listed as having signed up to the Campaign.
Background
2.
Details of the 10:10 Campaign for Councils can be found via the
following website:
http://downloads.1010uk.org/docs/1010%20Councils%20Methodology.pdf
3.
Signing up to the 10:10 Campaign commits the Council to aim at
reducing annual emissions by 10% over the baseline year which can
end any time up to 30 June 2010. The Campaign recognises that
this is an ambitious target and that a reduction of 3% or more will
be celebrated.
4.
There are a host of other strategies and campaigns on going at the
moment such as:
·
The Carbon Management Plan
·
The Carbon Reduction Commitment
·
The Carbon Trust Standard
·
Green Dragon.
Relevant Issues and Options
5.
The Campaign uses the English National Indicator 185 to demonstrate
the improvement. This indicator is not used by Welsh local
authorities at the moment.
6.
During the action year the Council is encouraged to use the 10:10
logo to communicate its participation.
7.
Figures on emissions are to be submitted quarterly if possible but
at least once at the beginning and once at the end of the action
year using the online 10:10 tool (not yet available).
8.
There will be no independent audits and no league tables, however
no claims can be made without submitting the figures through the
online tool and 10:10 may request to see the background
documentation.
9.
At the end of the action year the Council will be able to continue
using the 10:10 logo if at least a 3% saving has been demonstrated
via the use of the online tool.
10. If the Council
decided to sign up to the scheme then it would publicise the
Campaign to staff and the general public and encourage them also to
participate.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
11. There will be an
extra administrative burden in reporting using the NI185
methodology and the online 10:10 tool although most of the
information on building emissions will be available as part of the
statutory Carbon Reduction Commitment. Transport information
will be collected separately. It is estimated that between
one and three person weeks will be required to administer the 10:10
commitment each year.
12. Staff that currently
have the expertise to prepare the NI185 submission are currently
committed to delivering the Carbon Management Plan and without
additional resources the extra burden will reduce the time
available to deliver the Carbon Management Plan.
13. Welsh Assembly
Government funding is dependent on the Council meeting its
improvement agreement which contains several carbon emission
reduction measures which could be put in jeopardy if staff
resources are diverted.
14. There are no other
resource implications.
Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)
15. There are no legal or
human rights implications.
Crime and Disorder Implications
16. There are no crime
and disorder implications.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language
issues)
17. There are no equal
opportunity implications, the 10:10 logo does not contain any
words.
Corporate/Service Objectives
18. The 10:10 Campaign is
in line with other corporate objectives including the Carbon
Management Strategy and Implementation Plan adopted by the Council
on 16th April 2008.
19. The Campaign is in
accord with the corporate commitment for all Council divisions to
reach Green Dragon Level 1.
20. The Carbon Reduction
Commitment (CRC) is a statutory carbon trading scheme in which the
Council is legally bound to participate. The base year for
the CRC is 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011. Reducing
emissions during this base year may be considered to be a
disadvantage as actions to reduce emissions now will not be
available in future years (i.e. the measures will already be
completed). However it is important to note that carbon
dioxide is being initially priced at £12 per tonne within CRC
whereas the cost of fuel to produce a tonne of carbon dioxide costs
hundreds of pounds. In other words making savings now makes
the most economic sense.
Policy Framework and Budget
21. The 10:10 Campaign
accords with the Council’s environmental policy (“Minimise the use
of non-renewable resources including energy in its own buildings,
vehicles and in all Council activities").
22. Additional staff
resources will be required to administer the 10:10 Campaign but no
capital resources will be required.
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
23. No Ward Member
consultation is required but Councillor Rob Curtis has been
consulted. Also, all Directors and Heads of Service have been
consulted.
Relevant Scrutiny Committee
24. Corporate
Resources.
Background Papers
10:10
Councils' Methodology.
Contact Officer
David Powell, Energy Manager - 01446
709576
Officers Consulted
Councillor R Curtis, Rob Quick, Sian Davies,
Clive Teague, Huw Isaac, Jane Wade, Gareth Bissett
Responsible Officer:
Sian Davies, Director of Finance, ICT and
Property