Issue - meetings

(Paragraph 6 – information relating to proposed action to be taken by the Local Authority)

Purpose:  To provide an update on the business case for the Grazeley Solar Farm project and to seek delegated authority for the Service Director Environment to enter into a power purchase agreement to supply energy through the Crown Commercial Services Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) Framework.

Resolved that:

·         The updated business case be noted and that the Executive give delegated authority for the Service Director Environment, in consultation with the S151 and Monitoring Officers, to approve registering as an energy supplier on the Crown Commercial Services Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Asset (HELGA) Framework and entering into of a Power Purchase Agreement for up to 30 years for the supply of electricity through said framework.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      a delay in implementing the decision this would cause the Council serious financial implications or could compromise the Council's position.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

(Paragraph 6 - information relating to proposed action to be taken by the Local Authority)

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 13), concerning an update on the business case for the Grazeley Solar Farm project and to seek delegated authority for the Service Director Environment to enter into a power purchase agreement to supply energy through the Crown Commercial Services Heat Networks and Electricity Generation Assets (HELGA) Framework.

RESOLVED that: the recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.

Other options considered:

·         Consideration is being given to using the solar farm for sheep farming during its life. Biodiversity and ecology is also prominent in the scheme design. The project retains the current features that are present on the site, such as the mature trees and hedges. We have allowed a ten metre buffer between these existing features and the fenced solar farm area, hence ensuring there is no damage to the existing flora and fauna in the field boundaries. In addition to this, the proposed scheme design includes additional tree and hedge planting, the creation of ponds and seeding with wildflower seed-mix, and seeding for winter birds. The scheme will also include the installation of bird and bat boxes across the site. All of these measures have been captured in the Biodiversity Net gain score, which is positive.