The Director of Technical Services presented a report detailing the Council’s annual electricity and gas contract renewals, undertaken by Buying Solutions, following the end of the current contracts on 30 September 2009. The new contracts had reduced the projected annual energy costs by £2.9 million, with £1.6 million savings to the General Fund services and £1.3 million to Schools. In order to meet the Carbon Reduction Commitment, a five year programme of Automatic Meter Reading installations was recommended, as the investment would assist with the delivery of future energy savings.

Resolved – That,

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

(2) the impact of the revised electricity and gas contracts be reflected in the 2009/10 General Fund budgets returning £0.7 million to Council balances;

(3) the impact of the electricity, gas and potential street lighting contracts be reflected in the 2010/11 General Fund budgets realising £1.6 million in savings;

(4) it be recognised that no provision has been made for the 2010 contract renewals at this stage. Given the unpredictability of the markets further reports will be presented to Cabinet as information is received;

(5) £100,000 per year for 5 years be allocated to a programme of installing / operating Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) in Council buildings to support the Council priority to reduce Wirral’s carbon footprint and to comply with the performance criteria of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and that this be met from the Efficiency Investment Fund;

(6) the savings to Schools of £0.7 million in 2009/10 and £1.3 million in 2010/11 be noted and the Schools Forum be requested to consider a programme of AMR installations within schools in order for them to comply with the performance criteria of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and to deliver further benefits in carbon reduction and that the cost of this programme be met from the Schools’ Budget.