Agenda and minutes

Venue: Monkfield Room, First Floor. View directions

Contact: 03450 450 500 Email: Democratic.Services@scambs.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

None.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2018 as a correct record.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 November was agreed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of the following text at the end of minute 7:

“The Committee

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET

 

A)           The inclusion of high level guidance on biodiversity, including links to the Developing Nature Toolkit in the proposed new Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD;

B)           The production of a Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD to provide more detailed guidance; and

C)           The development of a mandatory net gain policy as part of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.”

4.

Chairman's Report

Oral report to include: next steps for zero carbon target, including carbon budgeting and zero carbon future conference.

Minutes:

The Chairman updated the Committee on the Business Plan 2019 to 2024, which was going to Cabinet later in the week, and provided details on the next steps for the zero carbon target, including carbon budgeting. It was noted that there was cross party support for these initiatives.

 

The Chairman announced that the Council would be recruiting a Climate Change Officer, with the advert going out this month. A Green Energy Investment Officer would also be recruited in the next municipal year, providing the budget was agreed. It was further noted that there were plans to recruit a Communications Officer who would promote recycling and the reduction of waste. This post would be financed through the reduction in the charges levied on the authority for the amount of waste going to landfill and the increased income through the amount of waste recycled.

 

It was noted that a zero carbon future conference would be held in May.

5.

Waterbeach New Town - Eastern Half RLW Estates pdf icon PDF 53 KB

To provide an opportunity for the developer (RLW) to inform the Committee regarding how their proposals mitigate climate change and address excellence in sustainable development, and provide the Committee with an opportunity to ask questions and comment.

Minutes:

A presentation was given to the Committee by representatives from RLW Estates, Mott McDonald and Boyer Planning Consultants.

 

Energy

It was noted that the plan was for the buildings in east Waterbeach to use less energy, for the energy to be supplied efficiently and for renewable energy to be generated onsite.

 

Modular energy used for heating, was more efficient.

 

Concern was expressed that the energy company would not pass the efficiency savings on to the residents at Waterbeach.

 

In response to the assertion that compliance with SS/6 was not particularly challenging, it was explained that the aim was to provide a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 10% reduction was a minimum requirement.

 

It was noted that there had to be a balance between achieving the greatest reduction in CO2 emissions and keeping the housing affordable.

 

Sustainability

It was noted that with the exception of schools, all non-domestic buildings would have an “Excellent” rating. The aim was for one or two buildings to have an “Outstanding” rating, which less than 1% of current UK buildings achieve.

 

It was noted that a minimum 3 Star Rating (out of 5 stars) Home Quality Mark for housing would be achieved, but the aspiration was to achieve a 4 rating as the town develops.

 

It was noted that the aim was to reduce the water usage of all non-domestic buildings by 25% over the BREEAM baseline figure for building water consumption and to reduce domestic water usage to no more than 110 litres per person per day. Rainwater harvesting would be used to meet these targets.

 

Flood risk

It was noted that the historical records from the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment showed that the site has never flooded. An assessment had been carried out to anticipate increased flood risk due to climate change. To mitigate risk, Bannold Drain would be widened and the ground would be raised. In response to questioning, it was stated that an extra charge would not be levied on residents of the new development by the Internal Drainage Board.

 

Air quality

The Principal Planning Officer agreed to provide information to the Committee on air quality at a later date.

 

The Committee recommended that the project should exceed clause 9 of SS/7, which was in line with the Local Plan and the administration’s zero carbon target.

 

The Chairman thanked the representatives from RLW Estates, Mott McDonald and Boyer Planning Consultants for their informative presentation.

 

 

6.

Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership (SPEP) Review and Draft Action Plan pdf icon PDF 159 KB

To provide the Committee with the background and an update on SPEP and present a draft action plan including the setting up of new Zero Carbon Communities grant scheme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Development Officer updated the Committee on the Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership (SPEP) and recommended that the Council should set up a Zero Carbon grant scheme.

 

The Committee supported the rolling over of funds in the Community Energy Fund budget to next year.

 

After a brief discussion, the Committee agreed that the Council needed to re-consider the percentage of match funding required from applicants, as 100% match funding may prove difficult for many parish councils.

 

The Committee discussed the need to fund projects in the District, which could effectively reduce carbon emissions, whilst being able to use the money available to fund as many projects as possible. It was agreed that the proposed maximum of £10,000 per project should be increased to £15,000.

 

The Committee

 

NOTED           the proposals for supporting SPEP.

 

The Committee unanimously

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET    

 

A)           That a Zero Carbon grant scheme be set up to support community-level activities which speed up the shift to zero carbon emissions.

 

B)           That the £36,229 in the 2018-19 budget for the Community Energy Fund be rolled over to the 2019-20 budget.

 

C)           That a maximum of £15,000 per project be agreed.

7.

Home Energy Conservation Act: Draft 2019 Update pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To inform the Committee of the requirements under the Home Energy Conservation Act and invite comment on the draft document.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Development Officer presented this report on energy performance of homes in the District and invited members of the Committee to comment on the first draft of the 2019 Home Energy Conservation Act report.

 

It was hoped that the Council could find ways to liaise with private landlords and tenants on the Domestic Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. The issue of improving energy performance in the District’s many listed building was also highlighted and it was hoped ways could be found to help property owners on this.

 

It was noted that energy use for heat and power in housing resulted in significant carbon emissions. The Committee proposed that information be compiled on the energy performance of the Council’s housing stock and the potential for further improvements.

 

The Committee unanimously

 

RECOMMENDED     that the Council consider commissioning a study into the potential for energy improvements in private housing stock in the District to inform potential collaboration with installers with access to Energy Company Obligation funding.

8.

SCDC Investment in Green Energy - Update pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Minutes:

The Policy and Performance Officer introduced this report, which updated the Committee on the Council’s investment in Green Energy, including at the Waterbeach Depot and South Cambridgeshire Hall.

 

Waterbeach Depot Solar Installation

It was noted that without the feed-in-tariff as an incomed stream, payback of the installation had been calculated as 11 years. A decision from UK Power Networks was imminent.

 

The installation of charge points for electric cars was also being considered.

 

South Cambridgeshire Hall assessment

The Policy and Performance Officer offered to distribute the assessment by an external agency on the different options available for investing in green energy.

 

Energy saving initiatives

The Policy and Performance Officer explained that other energy saving initiatives such as converting to LED lights for street lighting and greater promotion of car sharing were also being investigated.

 

The Committee NOTED the report.

9.

Forward Plan

·         Investment in Green Energy Progress Report

·         Schedule of Supplementary Planning Documents

Minutes:

This was noted.

10.

Date of Next Meeting

To note that the next meeting will be held on Monday 25 March 2019 at 3pm in the Monkfield Room.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on Monday 25 March 2019 at 3pm in the Monkfield Room.