Agenda item

To note the Chief Executive business case decisions for projects less than £1m, under the Single Assurance Framework arrangements.

RESOLVED:

The Investment Committee resolved to:

A.    Note the Chief Executive business case decisions for projects less than £1m under the Single Assurance Framework.

The Executive Director of Resources introduced the report which set out the projects which had been approved by the Chief Executive in accordance with the delegated authority from the Board.

During discussion the following points were discussed:

a)    The funding for the Climate Action Plan covered not only the updating of the Plan but also significant public engagement and work on climate adaptation, particularly regarding water management and overheating risks.

b)    The challenges of planning for varying growth scenarios due to the concurrent nature of data gathering and plan development were acknowledged. The approach would involve scenario planning based on existing and projected growth, allowing the evidence base to adapt to different levels of growth.

c)     Several anticipated outcomes from the Energy Plan were outlined and were as follows:

• Utility Investments: The Plan would provide well-evidenced proposals that utility companies could incorporate into their investment plans, which were subject to regulatory approval.
• Local Solutions: The Plan would explore local solutions, such as the deployment of heat networks, that required place-specific analysis rather than a theoretical approach.
• Evidence for Advocacy: The Plan would strengthen the region's ability to advocate for government support and address barriers by providing a clear evidence base.

d)    While the Plan would not solve all future technological uncertainties, it would help map out opportunities and provide a clearer picture of the region's energy needs. This would include working with industry and businesses to anticipate power supply and voltage issues, particularly in high-growth areas.

e)    Climate projects would be coordinated with the constituent authorities through the Local Authority Place Directors meeting, ensuring that planning efforts were aligned across all regions.

f)      Members were reassured by officers that engagement had been, and would continue to be, a critical component of the Climate Action Plan

g)    Governmental organisations, universities, hospitals, and other institutions faced challenges in implementing energy plans due to their budgeting constraints. These institutions often had budget structures that discouraged participation in local energy plans, preferring instead to negotiate their own deals.

h)    Members expressed concerns about the privatised and regulated nature of the electricity grid, describing it as a "broken system." Examples from Cambridge were cited, where insufficient grid capacity delayed necessary reinforcements until the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) intervened.

i)      The Energy Plan was designed to explore opportunities such as smart grids and neighbourhood heat networks, focusing on future energy needs and achieving net-zero targets. While the exact level of detail was not yet determined, the Plan aimed to identify and incorporate these opportunities.

j)      The broader challenges of energy infrastructure had been raised with the National Infrastructure Commission, particularly the challenge of providing infrastructure ahead of growth and the first-mover disadvantage. The Plan intended to serve as a robust evidence base for local plans, though it would not direct where growth should occur as that remained a decision for local authorities.

k)     The concern about grid capacity was acknowledged but demand management, smart use of energy, and battery storage would be part of the study's broader context. The officer indicated that specific locations for large-scale renewables might be addressed but that it would need further investigation.

RESOLVED:

The Investment Committee resolved to:

A.    Note the Chief Executive business case decisions for projects less than £1m under the Single Assurance Framework.