Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods advising Executive Board of the government’s proposed changes to the Feed-In Tariff (FIT), and the effect that these proposals have had on the Council’s plans to install solar PV systems on a minimum of 1000 council houses and operate a private sector solar PV scheme. The report also seeks approval of a response to the government’s consultation on the proposed changes, and approval of a cost neutral council house scheme for council housing and the private sector (including PV), funded via FITs and the Renewable Heat Incentive, once further details of FITs for community schemes are announced.

Further to Minute No. 198, 30^th March 2011, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report advising of the Government’s proposed changes to the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) arrangements for Solar PV and the impact of such changes upon the Council’s proposals regarding Solar PV initiatives. The report also presented for approval a response to the Government’s consultation on the proposed changes, and outlined proposals to undertake further work on developing cost neutral renewable schemes for council housing and the private sector (including PV), funded via FITs and the Renewable Heat Incentive, once further details of FITs for community schemes had been announced.  In determining this matter, the Board took into consideration all matters contained within the accompanying report.

In responding to Members’ enquiries, the Board received details regarding the process and speed at which the Solar PV initiative had been progressed in Leeds.

Following Members’ comments, the Chief Executive highlighted the potential benefits which could be realised from the adoption of an appropriate scheme and suggested that any representations made on behalf of the Council in respect of this matter should be focussed upon the Renewable Heat Incentive.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report and the reasons for putting both PV schemes on hold be noted.

(b)  That the formal response to the Department for Energy and Climate Change consultation, as detailed within Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

(c)  That officers be requested to continue to investigate the development of cost-neutral renewable schemes for council housing and the private sector (including PV), funded via FITs and the Renewable Heat Incentive, once further details of FITs for community schemes are announced.