Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) attached

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) which had been prepared in response to the Notice of Motion, presented to the last meeting of Council, concerning the Local Electricity Bill.

Resolved:-

1.  That the Local Electricity Bill be supported.

2.  That the local press be informed of the decision and that officers be requested to write a letter to the local MPs and the organisers of the Bill as proposed.

3.  That it be noted that maximising the financial and infrastructure benefits that may arise from this initiative will require investment in local renewable generation in future years.

Reasons for Decision

To respond to the Notice of Motion

Other Options

None

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Notice of Motion attached.

Resolved:

That in accordance with Standing Order 8.4 the following Notice of Motion, be referred to the Cabinet:

‘National Community Energy Campaign

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council:

(i) Acknowledges the efforts that this council has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy; 

(ii) recognises that councils can play a central role in creating sustainable communities, particularly through the provision of locally generated renewable electricity; 

(iii) further recognises:

·         that very large financial setup and running costs involved in selling locally generated renewable electricity to local customers result in it being impossible for local renewable electricity generators to do so;

·         that making these financial costs proportionate to the scale of a renewable electricity supplier’s operation would create significant opportunities for councils to be providers of locally generated renewable electricity directly to local people, businesses and organisations, and

·         that revenues received by councils that became local renewable electricity providers could be used to help fund local greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures and to help improve local services and facilities;

(iv) accordingly resolves to support the Local Electricity Bill, currently supported by a cross-party group of 115 MPs, and which, if made law, would make the setup and running costs of selling renewable electricity to local customers proportionate by establishing a Right to Local Supply; and 

(v) further resolves to: 

·         inform the local media of this decision,

·         write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill, and

·         write to the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, Power for People, (at 8 Delancey Passage, Camden, London NW1 7NN or info@powerforpeople.org.uk) expressing its support.’

Proposed by: Cllr Nevin

Seconded by: Cllr Mitchell