Councillor Allan Brame moved and Councillor Dave Mitchell seconded the following Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 -

“Council welcomes the Liverpool City Region’s Year of the Environment initiative and the launch of the Borough’s environment plan in New Brighton last month.

Council notes that the Year of the Environment will also help raise awareness of issues and areas that demand action and attention, including the need to shift towards more sustainable use of energy and welcomes the plans for a new £10 million Green Investment Fund announced by the Metro Mayor.

Council also notes the decision by Warrington Borough Council to invest in a solar farm in Yorkshire, which will meet 100% of its energy demands, reducing its annual energy bills by up to £2m in the process, and, once fully operational, will generate enough clean power to supply more than 18,000 homes and mitigate the emission of 25,000 tonnes of carbon every year.

This initiative follows moves by other local authorities in England and Wales to build solar farms.

Council believes that development of such a supply of clean energy would be a significant contribution to the battle against global warming and calls on Cabinet to:

1.  explore the possibility of building its own solar farm, either in the Borough or elsewhere.

2.  undertake investigations into the viability of such a scheme, the investment costs and potential returns and to identify potential locations”.

Amendment

Councillor Anita Leech moved and Councillor Stuart Whittingham seconded an amendment submitted in accordance with Standing order 12(1) such that the Motion be approved subject to the addition of the following words -

“Council reaffirms its commitment to Green Energy which is supported in our Climate Change Strategy and the authority’s history of investing in green energy.

Council notes the work which is being undertaken through the ‘Cool Wirral’ partnership.

Council also notes that the authority has installed solar panels on Council buildings under a spend to save initiative and that there are currently 25 Council buildings that have the panels installed. An example can be seen at Guinea Gap leisure centre.

Council further notes that:

·  Local schools have been engaged in looking at solar opportunities and at least three schools have signed up to the ‘Solar for Schools’ initiative which, if their applications are successful, will see the installation of solar panels on their buildings. A number of other schools are also considering taking up this opportunity. 

·  Discussions have commenced with regard to replacing the authority’s current energy supply with solar energy.

·  Cabinet is also tackling fuel poverty, an issue that affects a large number of Wirral residents, by considering an energy supply service which will enable residents to obtain cheaper gas and electricity.

·  Work is ongoing on a range of other green energy initiatives which will be brought to members during the next municipal year.

On a procedural motion by Councillor Ron Abbey, seconded by Councillor Phil Davies, it was –

Resolved – That only the movers and seconders be heard in respect of this motion and amendment.

Following speeches by the movers and seconders, the amendment to the Motion was accepted by Councillor Allan Brame as mover of the Motion with the agreement of Council being given by general assent.

The substantive motion was put and carried.  It was therefore –

Resolved (62:0) (One abstention) – That

Council welcomes the Liverpool City Region’s Year of the Environment initiative and the launch of the Borough’s environment plan in New Brighton last month.

Council notes that the Year of the Environment will also help raise awareness of issues and areas that demand action and attention, including the need to shift towards more sustainable use of energy and welcomes the plans for a new £10 million Green Investment Fund announced by the Metro Mayor.

Council also notes the decision by Warrington Borough Council to invest in a solar farm in Yorkshire, which will meet 100% of its energy demands, reducing its annual energy bills by up to £2m in the process, and, once fully operational, will generate enough clean power to supply more than 18,000 homes and mitigate the emission of 25,000 tonnes of carbon every year.

This initiative follows moves by other local authorities in England and Wales to build solar farms.

Council believes that development of such a supply of clean energy would be a significant contribution to the battle against global warming and calls on Cabinet to:

1.  explore the possibility of building its own solar farm, either in the Borough or elsewhere.

2.  undertake investigations into the viability of such a scheme, the investment costs and potential returns and to identify potential locations

Council reaffirms its commitment to Green Energy which is supported in our Climate Change Strategy and the authority’s history of investing in green energy.

Council notes the work which is being undertaken through the ‘Cool Wirral’ partnership.

Council also notes that the authority has installed solar panels on Council buildings under a spend to save initiative and that there are currently 25 Council buildings that have the panels installed. An example can be seen at Guinea Gap leisure centre.

Council further notes that:

·  Local schools have been engaged in looking at solar opportunities and at least three schools have signed up to the ‘Solar for Schools’ initiative which, if their applications are successful, will see the installation of solar panels on their buildings. A number of other schools are also considering taking up this opportunity. 

·  Discussions have commenced with regard to replacing the authority’s current energy supply with solar energy.

·  Cabinet is also tackling fuel poverty, an issue that affects a large number of Wirral residents, by considering an energy supply service which will enable residents to obtain cheaper gas and electricity.

·  Work is ongoing on a range of other green energy initiatives which will be brought to members during the next municipal year.