Agenda item

(To receive a report from Doug Robinson, Sustainability Officer, which provides the Schools Forum with an update on recent activity relating to the Schools Collaboration on Resource Efficiency (SCoRE) Programme)

Consideration was given to a report from the Sustainability Team Leader, which provided the Schools Forum with an update on recent activity with the Schools Collaboration on Resources Efficiency (SCoRE), a programme which helped schools become more sustainable.  The programme focussed primarily on energy reduction to help realise immediate cost and carbon footprint savings.  It was highlighted that registered schools had reported energy consumption savings of around 20% through initial awareness raising and implementing 'quick wins'.

Appended to the report were the following documents:-

·         Appendix A – provided information relating to the SCoRE Programme;

·         Appendix B - provided the Spring 2014 edition of the Lincolnshire Carbon Ambassador News and the Spring 2014 edition of the SCoRE News;

·         Appendix C – provided a comprehensive list of the schools participating in the project; and

·         Appendix D – provided information relating to boiler optimisation impact.

It was noted that investment in energy efficiency had already commenced; boiler load optimisation programme spend to date was £330,000 (10% projected savings in gas consumption) and boiler room valve and flange insulation had been carried out to the value of £65,000.

It was reported that Revolving Fund loans of £900,000 had been made to schools for investment in energy efficiency technology realising annual savings of £170,000.

It was highlighted that there were challenges and that one of these was being able to come up with a way of engaging with Secondary schools.  The Forum was invited to put forward any suggestions.

Discussion ensued, from which the following points were raised:-

·         The inclusion of nursery schools into the scheme – The Forum were advised that the Sustainability Team Leader would speak to the Forum representative after the meeting, but overall there was a willingness to work with all schools;

·         Procedure regarding new build – It was reported that this area was still being developed, alongside colleagues within the Procurement Team; and

·         A suggestion was put forward as to whether the team looked at schools that had the greatest carbon footprint, and was there a method of identifying these schools.  It was reported that the only data available related to energy consumption.  The harder problem was trying to engage the schools in the process.  It was highlighted that any schools that were taking part needed to be committed to be successful.

Some concern was raise as to whether the scheme represented good value for money.  Reassurance was given that the business case at the onset guaranteed payback after five years.  With 126 schools having completed the programme, detailed analysis of data had begun.  It was highlighted that the data once processed had the potential to be used in the budget process for the forthcoming year.

In conclusion, the Schools Forum noted the report and looked forward to receiving a detailed analysis report being presented to a future meeting of the Forum.

RESOLVED

That the report concerning the School Collaboration on Resource Efficiency (SCoRE) be noted and that a further analysis of savings be presented to a future meeting of the Forum.