This report seeks approval for investment in the installation of Ground source Heap Pumps at the Civic Centre and the Council’s four leisure centres at Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk during 2019.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Ground Source Heat Pump Scheme is allocated Capital budget of £2,113,198 for the implementations of installations at the Civic Centre, Northallerton Leisure Centre, Bedale Leisure Centre, Stokesley Leisure Centre and Thirsk Sowerby Leisure Centre; that delegated responsibility is given to the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to authorise expenditure of the capital allocation on the Ground Source Heat Pump scheme to OFGEM and that further updates be provided as the project develops.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for investment in the installation of Ground source Heap Pumps at the Civic Centre and the Council’s four leisure centres at Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk during 2019.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet had previously approved a capital allocation for 2018/19 to assess current energy usage and investigate energy efficiency measures which could be introduced at the Council’s facilities and to its infrastructure, with the aim of reducing energy consumption, using energy more efficiently, reducing the carbon footprint and securing Renewable Heat Incentive funding from the UK Government.  Cabinet was satisfied that this proposal supported the Council’s corporate priorities of caring for the environment and financial sustainability.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the Ground Source Heat Pump Scheme is allocated Capital budget of £2,113,198 for the implementations of installations at the Civic Centre, Northallerton Leisure Centre, Bedale Leisure Centre, Stokesley Leisure Centre and Thirsk Sowerby Leisure Centre; and

(2)     that delegated authority is given to the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), in conjunction with the Deputy Leader, to authorise expenditure of the capital allocation on the Ground Source Heat Pump scheme to OFGEM.