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Minutes of the Renewable Energy Generation Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, Bideford, on Thursday 20 June 2019 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor J Herron

South Ward:

Councillor B Wootton

East Ward:

Councillor J Craigie (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs R Craigie (Deputy Mayor)
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr R Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)

 

9.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor J McKenzie (East Ward – personal).

10.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest.

11.     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

There was no public participation.

12.    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 May 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

13.    PANNIER MARKET SOLAR PANELS - QUOTATIONS

Members considered three quotations noting that one sited the panels on an alternate roof. Discussion included the annual system output, the quality of the solar panels – solar edge maximises power from each cell negating any shading - inverter warranties, VAT / system variation and potential to reduce a quotation that included planning application and locality of the contractors.

It was proposed by Councillor J Craigie, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That SunGift Energy are engaged on confirmation that the 12.6 kW SolarEdge system price is within the ringfenced budget. Alternatively, Renewable Energy Solutions (Devon) Ltd are engaged to provide a 10.98 kW SolarEdge Solar PV Array.

(Vote: For: 5, Against: 0)

CHANGE OF ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Chairman directed that Agenda Item 7 be brought forward for discussion, mindful of time constraints.

14.    FOSSIL FUEL EXTRACTION – COUNCIL DISINVESTMENT

Councillor Wootton suggested that the Council changes its Bank to one that is ethically driven.

The Chairman ventured that the Co-operative Bank does have an ethical policy albeit that there are concerns and Tridos Bank are similarly committed to investing in the environment.

The Chairman indicated that the move, to ethical banking, would send a message; it is a contradiction to continue to engage in a sector that invests in fossil fuels while resolving not to exceed the global warming increase by 1.5oC.

The Chairman noted on a wider scale that one of the world’s largest Sovereign Wealth Funds had taken steps to remove investment from fossil fuels. Discussion continued on the move to invest away from fossil fuels generally, impact upon future taxpayers / trustees of pension funds and an approach to the trustees of the Devon County Council Pension fund.

It was proposed by Councillor J Craigie, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the Council disinvest from institutions involved in fossil fuel extraction and those institutions that provide financial services to those companies by the end of financial year 2020/21.

15.     WORKING GROUPS – UPDATE

a.       Energy and Heat:

• TDC are open to Solar Panels on Sure Start Roof.
• Mr Day to investigate repeat of July 2018 Crowd Fund – potential to tap into M&S £1,000 - £5,000 additional funding.
• The Chairman noted future discussion points should include Council funding for:
o LED lighting in the Pannier Market.
o To support planning application from Atlantic Community Energy for the 100 kW Cornborough Cliff pv array to supply energy to the South West Water pumping station.

 b.    Transport: No update.

c.     CSB: Councillor Hellyer advised that the Council had been offered land at the end of Kathleen Grange and £8,000 by TDC. If the land was still available there could be an opportunity to plant willow trees that would help the drainage.

The Chairman noted that it would help reduce flooding; the item should be investigated further.

 

 The Chairman thanked the Members for their attendance and support. He concluded the Meeting at 6.27 pm.


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