Decision details

The attached annex is exempt and NOT FOR PUBLICATION by reason of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 in that it contains information relating to financial or business affairs namely the commercial approach details. The public interest test has been applied to the information contained within the exempt annex and it is

considered that the need to retain the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing it because to do so could compromise the Council’s position in any future procurement activity for similar works.

The Cabinet Member:

1.    Awarded a contract to Mears Limited to carry out the installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels to corporate buildings via the existing Solar Photovoltaic Framework Agreement which was approved by cabinet member decision notice JAN12/CMDN/002 dated 6 January 2012. The cost of the works of £3,657,750 will be paid from the Invest to Save capital budget on the basis that this phase of works meets the set of principles which were outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2021/22. The project will result in net income of £6,621,753 over a 20 year period as set out in section 4.14 of this report.

2.    Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Resources to enter into Access Agreements and Power Purchase Agreements with tenants of the corporate buildings referred to at 4.2 of this report.

3. Awarded a contract to Honeywell Building Solutions, a trading name of Honeywell Control Systems Limited for the installation, performance monitoring and maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels on school buildings via the existing Energy Performance (EnPC) Framework which was approved by Cabinet member decision notice JUN13/CMDN/054. The cost of the works of £491,899 will be paid from the Invest to Save capital budget on the basis that this phase of works meets the set of principles which were outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2021/22. The costs of performance monitoring and maintenance of £462,355 over 20 years will be funded from income generated. Overall the project will result in net income of £199,784 over a 20 year period as set out in section 4.14 of this report.

4. Awarded a contract Mears Limited to carry out the installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels on school buildings via the existing Solar Photovoltaic Framework Agreement which was approved by cabinet member decision notice JAN12/CMDN/002 dated 6 January 2012. The cost of the works of £2,876,250 will be paid from the Invest to Save capital budget on the basis that this phase of works meets the set of principles which were outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to 2021/22. The project will result in net income of £2,200,470 over a 20 year period as set out in section 4.14 of this report.

5. Delegated authority to the Executive Director, Resources to enter into Access Agreements and Power Purchase Agreements with individual schools for the installation of solar panels and for the sale of electricity produced to those schools respectively.

Assists with the Council’s ambition and vision for the future of Peterborough to meet the diverse needs of our communities as set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy

Supports the Council's aspirations to be the UK’s Environment Capital by using sustainable energy sources.  

Enables the Council to support schools further with energy efficiency improvements which will ensure the electricity generated or that which is purchased is not wasted. Improvement will reduce overall energy demand thereby helping to reduce energy bills, exposure to price increases and improve schools’ energy performance rating

Generates a surplus income which will contribute to the Renewable Energy Savings targets in the MTFS.

Procuring each of the works as standalone single contracts through individual contractors:  following the traditional tender process for each individual contract would significantly increase the risk of securing the works in time to maximise the income from the FiTs Scheme and potentially increase costs.  This would also increase the risk of extending the programme of works which would jeopardise the Council's aspirations to be the UK’s Environment Capital.

Do nothing: This would result in a lost opportunity for Peterborough City Council to install the panels at the higher feed in tariff and hence reduce a long term income stream to the Council to offset future budget reductions. 

None.

Cabinet Member Decision Notice, reference JAN12/CMDN/002 & Cabinet Member Decision Notice, reference JUN13/CMDN/05