Issue - items at meetings - Approval to procure street lighting energy contract

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

(1)         That the Cabinet Member authorises the Director of Environment to:

(a)         Enter into an arrangement with ESCC to utilise the Buying Solutions’ framework agreement to procure the electricity for highway street lighting and illuminated signs for a period of 18 months until April 2011.

(b)         Carry out a review, including soft market testing as to the options and costs for the future procurement of electricity for highway street lighting and illuminated signs and to report back to the Cabinet Member with recommendations following the review.

44.1         The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment concerning the purchase electricity for street lighting and illuminated signs jointly with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) (for copy see minute book).

44.2         The Cabinet Member explained that the  Council’s street lighting formed part of the larger East Sussex lighting infrastructure which had one single electricity supply; working with East Sussex’s greater resources and buying power would currently be the best value option for the Council.

44.3         In response to a question from Councillor Mitchell the Head of Network Management confirmed that each street lamp was routinely checked and was, where possible, fitted with photovoltaic cells; lamps were also switched on as late as possible to conserve energy.

44.4         Councillor Rufus commented that in the future the Council should be seeking more than 30% renewable energy and be asking suppliers to demonstrate how they can provide 100% renewable energy.

44.5         The Assistant Director for Sustainable Transport explained that the Council would aim to increase the overall amount of renewable energy in the future; the proposals in the report would allow the Council to use the proceeding 18 months to investigate options for the next contract.

44.6         RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendation:

(1)         That the Director of Environment be authorised to:

(a)         Enter into an arrangement with ESCC to utilise the Buying Solutions’ framework agreement to procure the electricity for highway street lighting and illuminated signs for a period of 18 months until April 2011.

(b)         Carry out a review, including soft market testing as to the options and costs for the future procurement of electricity for highway street lighting and illuminated signs and to report back to the Cabinet Member with recommendations following the review.