The Director of Technical Services reported upon the Council’s Street Lighting contract renewal, undertaken by Solutions (BS), following the end of the current one year contract on 31 March 2009. The new contract had reduced operating costs from £1,624,149 in 2008/09 to £1,486,734 in 2009/10, producing full year saving of £137,000. However due to the re-alignment of the street lighting contract from April to October £137,000 would be available for re-investment subject to there being no increases in October. He reported also that as part of the 2009-10 estimates exercise, the Council agreed a Policy Option of £180,000 towards any tariff increases in 2009-10. This sum was no longer required and may now be returned to balances.

To enable further street lighting efficiencies to be implemented, he had requested Cabinet approval to reinvest the £137,000 saving into new Invest to Save Energy Efficiency Initiatives during 2009/10 (see minute 71 ante).

Resolved –

(1)  That it be noted that the offer made by Buying Solutions was competitively tendered and the tender accepted using Delegated Authority.

(2)  That to enable the Department to reinvest the savings into Invest to Save street lighting energy efficiency initiatives, the reinvestment of the financial savings be approved.

(3)  That the 2009-10 Policy Option of £180,000 be accepted as a saving to the Council.