To receive a presentation on the Breckland 2035 Sustainability Programme.

The Executive Member for People, Communications and Governance, Councillor Sherwood, explained that in the absence of the Head of Strategic Policy, the Executive Director, Steve James would provide the presentation. Breckland Council had spent the time required for base lining and to find out where things were as a Council to ensure the right projects were done at the right time. He felt that this had to be done with the right outside organisations and by listening to those organisations to understand what affects certain changes would have.

The Executive Director, Steve James said he was enthused and excited to be a part of this strategy and moving it forward to progress Breckland Council’s ambitions. One of which was the commitment to achieve net zero as an organisation by 2035.

The Executive Director explained the WorkSmart project which had included improvements to lighting at Elizabeth House which would result in a reduction of 24.5 tonnes of carbon per annum. He said that the team had commissioned Southeast Energy Hub to deliver a high-level analysis on both Elizabeth House and Breckland House about the viability of solar or heating options and had procured NPS Property consultants to carry out more detailed technical studies to understand whether delivery was possible on improved insulation, solar and heating options. The Executive Director said that this was important to give an evidence base and an understanding of the current position that would enable Breckland Council to deliver a pipeline of projects and bid for future grant fundings and a detailed carbon reduction plan for the operational buildings.

With regard to electric vehicles, 4 additional charging points were set to be delivered in Swaffham, at Theatre Street car park and a study had been undertaken of Breckland Council owned car parks which had identified seven potential sites for additional charging units to be installed including Elizabeth House, Breckland House and the first potential chargers in Watton. Through the Green Grants scheme Breckland Council was enabling the delivery of two charging units at Croxton Village Hall and was working with other Parish Councils to support them to deliver charging units in their Parish.

The Executive Director said that the team had worked with the Woodland Trust who had assessed 8 sites owned by Breckland Council. Five of these sites had been identified as suitable for planting trees and three of those sites were due to be delivered by the end of March 2022.

Councillor Wickerson asked for more information on the 24.5 tonnes of carbon reduction at Elizabeth House and asked how it reflected as a percentage overall which would give Members an idea of how much that had impacted the building as a whole and also asked for a list of the 5 sites that the Woodland Trust had identified.

Councillor Sherwood said he would be happy to provide the list of sites once the Towns and Parishes themselves had been informed as this was yet to happen and then the information would be released. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9