To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

To receive declarations of interests from Members of the Panel in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Councillor Marion Mills declared a personal interest in item 7 of the agenda (update from the Energy Reduction Manager) as she sat on two management committees – one in Pinkneys Green and the other at 4 Marlow Road.

The Chairman informed everyone present that the meeting was being recorded and would be made available on the RBWM website.

To note the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on Monday 28 September 2015.

The Part I minutes of the meeting held on the 28 September 2015 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

To read “Councillor Mills raised a local residents concerns about the lighting at zebra crossings and the need for adjustments to lights / shielding.” 

Opening remarks by the Chairman on the Panel’s role.

The Chairman informed everyone present that the prime objective of the Sustainability Panel was to save energy and carbon tax for the Council and ratepayers but also to looked at new technology that would benefit everyone involved. 

A presentation by Ian Davis, Energy Saving Lighting.

The Chairman welcomed Paul Daly and Ian Davis (Energy Saving Lighting) to the meeting and invited them to address the Panel. 

Paul Daly informed Members that Energy Saving Lighting was based in Winkfield.  It was noted that Paul Daly had been involved in LED lighting for six years and in that time had dealt with approximately twenty Local Authorities.  Members were informed that Energy Saving Lighting dealt mainly in rewiring and replacing fluorescent lights with LED tubes.  LED lighting  can save 65% of the light’s energy consumption compared to fluorescent lamps.

Paul Daly informed Members that they were starting the trial at Hines Meadow Car Park mainly retro fitting approximately 2700 lamps.  Members were informed that motion detectors would be used in the car park so that when it was at low occupancy the lighting levels reduced to 10% and powered back up to full power when occupancy was detected.  It was hoped that the light replacements at Hines Meadow Car Park  would be finished by the end of the week.  

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

Ø  That LED lights lasted approximately eight years / 50,000 hours compared to non-LED lights which tended to last approximately two years / 12,000 hours.

Ø  Energy Saving Lighting products were 100% recyclable.

Ø  That it was cost effective to purchase LED lights as after a year non-LED tubes were 30% less bright than when first installed and after two years were 50% less bright. 

Ø  That the payback on LEDs in car parks was under two years.

Ø  That Energy Saving Lighting were also looking at the Guildhall, Town Hall and libraries.

Ø  That small lights were also available which would reduce a 26 watt lamp to 7 watts.

Ø  That approximately £100,000 could be saved per annum by replacing the lights in the project with LED.

Ø  That Energy Saving Lighting worked with a Japanese company.

Ø  That only the light bulbs in Hines Meadow Car Park were being replaced rather than the whole fittings.

Ø  That LEDs did not give out heat which stopped the fittings turning yellow over time.

Ø  That Energy Saving Lighting sold the LED bulbs online. 

Ø  That 600 lumens equated to approximately 60 watts.

The Chairman thanked Paul Daly and Ian Davis for attending and for their informative verbal presentation. 

By the Energy Reduction Manager (Michael Potter), RBWM.

The Energy Reduction Manager, Michael Potter, referred Members to pages 13-20 of the agenda and explained that the report provided a review of the current water automatic meter reading (AMR) programme and was intended to give the Sustainability Panel an overview of the progress being made, review the merits and issues and discuss the options for the future.  Members were informed that the paper recommended that Members noted the progress of the water AMR project and that the Thames Water AMR trial was continued. 

The Energy Reduction Manager explained that the recommendations were being made because it was important that Members provided comment and direction on the work being carried out to ensure value for money.  It was also recommended that the Thames Water AMR trial was continued to allow further installations to progress. It was noted that this would increase AMR coverage and therefore the benefits that they would bring.

It was noted that the Panel at its meeting held on 28 July 2014 agreed that water automatic meter reading (AMR) should be trialled using Thames Water.  This was because water AMR had three key benefits:

1)         It allowed monitoring of water usage patterns to help identify water wastage.

2)         It allowed identification of leaks.

3)         It ensured accurate billing.

The Energy Reduction Manager explained that the Council had been waiting for the free of charge meter upgrades to happen before the next round of AMR devices were installed.  It was noted that the meter exchange process had been taking a very long time to happen, so that had now meant that Thames Water had agreed to progress the remaining AMR installations where meter exchanges were not required.  The Energy Reduction Manager informed Members that two of the three free of charge meter exchanges had now been carried out and the final one should be carried out in the next month.

It was noted that an oversized meter has been identified at York House.

Members were informed that the next steps recommended were that the Thames Water trial was continued.  It was noted that the next 12 installations should be completed by the end of the year and then there would be 18 AMR units installed.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED; That the progress of the water AMR project was noted and that the Thames Water AMR trial was continued to allow further AMR installations to progress.

By the Energy Reduction Manager (Michael Potter), RBWM.

The Energy Reduction Manager referred Members to pages 21-32 of the agenda and explained that the report provided an update and gave the Panel an overview of the progress being made to deliver the Panel’s energy reduction strategy.  It was noted that the paper also proposed setting a recommended heating and cooling temperature in Council offices. 

The key areas covered were noted as follows:

• Schools Survey
• Collective Energy Switching
• MaidEnergy Solar Cooperative
• Adopt a building
• Temperature set points
• Website Update
• Work planned over the next period

In the ensuing discussion, the following points were noted:  

Ø  That only 22 (mainly primary schools) out of the 64 schools surveyed responded which had been a very disappointing response rate.  The Chairman suggested that in order to actively promote schemes schools might need an incentive and possibly a mascot.  It was suggested that the Energy Reduction Manager contact the School Leadership Development Manager, Clive Haines, to discuss possible proposals.

Ø  That the Energy Reduction Manager was expecting a 2% sign up to the energy switching scheme with 25% of the sign ups actually progressing with the switch.

Ø  That the Council’s procurement section were currently reviewing the offers from Ichoosr and Energyhelpline and that once an analysis had been carried out further information would be brought to a future meeting on how the scheme could be taken forward. 

Ø  That the Council now had assurances from the cooperative in the form of a letter that proved that the solar scheme was backed by a loan.    

Ø  It was suggested that the keyboard in Reception be removed so the screen could not be changed to show anything other that the solar panel data.  It was also noted that the date on information screen was incorrect.  It was also suggested that the solar panel data be made more available / accessible. 

Ø  It was agreed that the Energy Reduction Manager would check with the Human Resources Team to see if they needed to agree the office temperature set points.

Ø  That raising awareness with staff with regard to the temperature in the workplace (not opening windows, etc) be looked into.

Ø  That a link to the Town Hall solar panel data could be found on the Councils renewables page and links to water saving advice could be found on the water page.

Ø  It was suggested that in order to promote the Councils solar panels moving kilowatt bars to show how much energy was being used and the savings being made should be added to the data screen.

Ø  That work planned over the next period included:

•           Ensuring the LED lighting project continued to run smoothly.

•           Arranging site visits for Adopt a building.

•           Creating a water consumption baseline.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED;

• That the progress made was noted and the proposed work plan was commented on.
• That the target heating temperature in Council offices be set at 21 degrees and the target cooling temperature be set at 24 degrees.  

Maidenhead Waterways Project in Maidenhead

Martin Fry (MRF&A / City University) asked Members whether they would like him to invite Michael Shanley to a future meeting to give his perception on the waterways project. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Fry for his kind offer but explained that he did not feel the subject fitted with the Panel as it did not fall under its remit.

The dates of future meetings are as follows (7.30pm start):

·         Thursday 21 January 2016.

·         Monday 14 March 2016.

·         Monday 16 May 2016.

The Clerk explained that there was now a Conservative event due to be held on the 21 January and that an alternative meeting date would need to be found.  The Clerk suggested Monday 25 January as there was a room available and no membership clashes with other Council meetings that evening.  The Panel agreed to the change of date and Councillor Mills requested that the Clerk seek a sub for her as she would not be able to attend on the 25 January.

It was noted that the dates of future meetings had been scheduled as follows (7.30pm in the Town Hall):

Ø  Monday 25 January 2016

Ø  Monday 14 March 2016

Ø  Monday 16 May 2016