2023

RENEW228 - In-house solar array cleaning

This authority is interested to hear from others who clean their commercial solar arrays in house. They have a 50kWp on a flat roof with edge protection. They are particularly interested in any RAMS that others would be willing to share or information about whether cleaning is contracted out?

 

RENEW225 - Highways Carbon Corridors

This authority is looking at innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint in highways and would welcome hearing from other member authorities who are actively trialling or have trialled Carbon Corridors as part of their routine maintenance activity service delivery.

 

RENEW224 - Use of supplier databases to identify energy efficiency support

This authority is interested to hear from other local authorities who use supplier databases. They are specifically interested in how other local authorities are using databases to understand the current energy efficiency landscape across local authority areas, and how this supports in identifying residents entitled to support. They are keen to learn more about how other local authorities keep databases like this up to date and how to use the information to identify residents.

 

RENEW223 - Assessing service area carbon emissions

This authority is looking into how service areas within the Council’s directorates can start to assess their own carbon emissions from service delivery; as well as to develop action plans to take action in response to their findings. They are particularly interested in answers to the following questions:

1. Has anyone else done this?

2. What worked and what didn’t?

3. What barriers were you faced with?

 

RENEW222 - Solar window films on council buildings

This authority is interested to hear from other local authorities about solar window film applied to council buildings (e.g. libraries) where there is a large amount of exterior glass. They are interested in hearing about contractors who have applied this and if this has been used as a solution to mitigate extremes of temperature?

 

RENEW221 - Carbon literacy training

This APSE member authority is looking to roll out carbon literacy across all staff within the council. They would welcome the following information: -

1. What providers/accreditation programmes do you use: -

• APSE accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project.

• APSE accredited ‘train the trainer’ to enable you to do deliver your own programme

• Your own programme / other

2. How are accredited programmes justified in budgets?

3. Are you allowing any ‘in-your-own-time programmes’? Or bespoke online programme. In addition to the above this member councils would like to know the following: -

4. They will not be able to roll out carbon literacy across all staff in year one but are looking at phasing it in by staff who have the highest carbon impact with decision making. Have any other authorities done this and if so how have they done it?

5. If the other member authorities have become 'carbon literate organisations' has it provided any quantifiable additional benefits (above being able to say all our staff are carbon literate), such as improving funding bid outcomes, demonstrated better decision making etc.?

 

RENEW220 - Carbon emissions in procurement and commissioning processes

This authority is looking at how they can make sure that climate change is included in their procurement and commissioning processes and wondered if other authorities have looked at evaluating suppliers and externally commissioned care providers on their climate change / sustainability policies? They are looking for information on how others have done this, what resourcing has been required and any lessons learned.

 

RENEW219 - Embedding climate, environment and community wealth building into procurement strategies

This authority is has recently updated their procurement strategy which is designed to embed Climate & Environment, as well as Community Wealth building principles, into their procurement processes to support their corporate plan. Following on from this, they are wanting to develop a Climate & Environment and Community Wealth Building guidance to embed and support best practice. They would be interested in hearing about what guidance other local authorities have included in their own procurement strategies in respect to guidance on aforementioned.

 

RENEW218 - EV charging point ideal distance for insurance purposes

A member authority would be interested in hear if any other authorities had received notification from their insurers on the ideal distance an EV charge point should be from any building (e.g. depot) for fire safety purposes? In addition have you received any specific advice regarding the charging of e-bikes or e-scooters?

 

RENEW217 - Criteria for defining vulnerable households as a local authority heat supplier

This authority is interested to hear from others who act as a heat supplier for council flats and homes, what criteria they use to define a vulnerable person? They need to set criteria to define a vulnerable person to ensure heat is never cut off from vulnerable households and would be interested to hear how others have done this.

 

RENEW216 - Provision of EV charging points for council staff at their homes

This authority is interested to hear if others are providing charging points for council staff at their homes if they take their council vehicles home for home to site working to avoid coming into a depot. The Council is reducing existing parking. Some staff currently take their council vehicles home but there is the potential for more to do so, depending on EV charging provision.

 

RENEW215 - Energy use data for leisure centre ASHPs

This authority is looking to swap gas boilers for air source heat pumps (ASHPs) at Leisure Centres with swimming pools and is interested in hearing from others who have done so and have some real world energy use data that they can share. They would also be interested in energy cost projections when changing gas boilers to ASHPs for space and hot water demand for planned projects

 

RENEW214 - Provision of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessment service

A local authority would like to enquire as to whether any other member authorities provide an EPC assessment service for the private sector and if so would they be willing to share how this scheme operates?

 

RENEW212 - Forensic Audits of Energy Bills

This authority would like to hear from other local authorities who have undertaken forensic audits, or utility cost and revenue recovery, of their energy bills. They are looking to gather insights and experiences of using such a service and any other useful information. They would be particularly interested in knowing an average recovery amount (%) and the percentage cost incurred for forensic auditing. Any information which can be provided will be helpful.

 

RENEW211 - Costs of heat network consultancy

This authority is looking to make an application to HNDU for a grant towards heat network zoning and feasibility. #They are keen to hear the fees paid by other local authorities to consultants for support in these areas. Any information which can be provided will be helpful. Those who respond will be sent copies of all replies.

 

RENEW210 - Legal Firms to support Heat Network Procurement and Contracts

This authority is putting together the procurement for a contractor to Design, Build, Operate and Maintain a new Heat network. They are looking to appoint a legal firm to provide support and advice on contracts etc. They would like to hear from others who are happy to recommend legal firms they have appointed for similar projects.

 

RENEW209 - 'Energy Management' eLearning modules

This authority is interested in adding an 'Energy Management' eLearning module to its internal Learning Management System. They are keen to hear whether this is something that has been done by other local authorities, if so: -Have a meaningful number of staff members completed the eLearning module? -Would you be willing to share the content of the eLearning module? -Do you have any other relevant information that you would be happy to share?

 

RENEW208 - Solar PVs on Historic Buildings

This authority is interested to hear if others have adopted specific policies or guidance regarding the installation of solar PVs on historic buildings or in Conservation Areas? Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW207 - School EPC Assessments

This authority is interested to hear if others undertake an EPC assessment prior to leasing a school site to an Academy under the standard DfE 125 year lease term? Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW206 - EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme for Staff

A member authority is interested to hear the experience of other Councils who have used EV salary sacrifice schemes for their staff, particularly with regards to the following questions:

1.Which company have you been working with for this scheme? And why?

2.How is the leasing working between you and your company partner?

3.What uptake have you seen from your staff for this scheme?

4.Is there an early termination period and process?

5.How have you assessed the risks of early termination from your staff? Have you set any limits, i.e. minimal salary or maximum cost of the leased vehicle, to minimise the risk?

6.What pros and cons have you seen from the implementation of this scheme?

7.How the HR department has evaluated the related admin process? Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW205 - High standing charges at EV charging sites

This authority has found that since the Targeted Charging Review was implemented, there has been an increase in the standing charges applied on their EV charging sites. Some of the authority’s rapid chargers now have standing charges of £41.91 per day/£15,000 pa, these increases have meant that some chargepoints have become almost unviable or risk becoming too expensive for users to access, where charges are passed on to the customer. This authority has raised the issue with the DNO and Ofgem with both agreeing that the TCR has impacted the charges that demand Users of the system pay and there have been some sharper impacts, particularly with regard to high capacity/low consumption sites, however they will require further evidence to instigate change. Therefore, this authority is keen to hear whether other local authorities are feeling the same impact on EV charge point standing charge costs. Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses A copy of the anonymised responses may also be shared with the DNO/Ofgem.

 

RENEW204 - Heating strategies for refurbishing sheltered housing units

This authority is keen hear from others about their heating strategies for refurbishing sheltered housing units. The Council is considering ASHP as a replacement for gas, but consultant reports indicate the capital costs, running costs to tenants and infrastructure upgrades (both fabric and grid) are too expensive to consider this a viable option. They are keen to advocate for zero direct emissions heating sources as soon as possible, but also are aware of their duty to help eradicate fuel poverty. They are keen to hear how other local authorities are tackling this issue? Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW203 - Amendments to climate emergency declarations

This authority is keen to find out if others have amended their climate emergency declarations and if so what the motions said. This could relate to a change of the following: Change of emphasis The addition of, for example, a biodiversity/ecological emergency A change in net zero target date Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW202 - Using Council land for carbon offsetting income

This authority has a piece of grassland which they are considering planting trees on and then a letting 3rd parties invest in to claim the carbon credit as a form of offsetting. They are interested to hear if any other authority has done something similar, is considering it, or has considered it and ruled it out. They appreciate there are a number of potentially problematic areas such as governance, the value of any income stream, the credibility of the investor (their emission reduction activities prior to offsetting), how the project could be integrated into other policies and objectives (ring fenced income for example), and other uses for the land (in this case housing and the opportunity to build in very high standards in the new homes). Any relevant information would be gratefully received. Those who reply will be sent all responses.

 

RENEW201 Review of taxi licencing policy

This authority is currently reviewing its taxi licensing policy and is interested to hear from others about their current policies, in particular those which strongly encourage efficient vehicles. They are keen to gather some good examples of where councils have done well, particularly those with a rural/urban split.

 

RENEW200 - Council solar on managed leisure centres

This authority is considering installing solar panels on the roof of a council leisure centre. The centre is managed by a private contractor who is responsible for paying the energy bills. The Council is keen to hear from others who have a Power Purchase Agreement in place to sell the generated energy to the contractor. They are keen to see copies of such an agreement and speak to officers involved.

 

RENEW199 - Green heating options for glasshouses

This authority is interested to hear from others who have a glasshouse / botanical garden / conservatory or similar as part of their estate. They are specifically interested in the heating arrangements others are using, the ongoing energy costs and how it fits in with net zero targets. They would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has installed new heating in this type of building and the reasons for doing so. They would also like to hear from anyone who has considered it and decided against doing so. Those who respond will be sent a copy of all replies.

 

RENEW198 - Lamp post EV Charging Infrastructure - 060623      

This authority is looking at the possibility of installing lamp post EV chargers and would be interested in hearing from others who have installed these and/or have gathered information about the pros and cons. They would also be interested in any lessons learnt and points to consider when installing these chargers.

 

RENEW197 - Sustainable fleet depot - 160523  

This authority is in the process of taking over a very large building with the intention of turning it into a new fleet depot. They would like the depot to be as sustainable as possible and are interested to hear from other councils who have done something similar, they would be keen to receive any information and potentially arrange a site visit.

 

RENEW196 - Managing wood pellet contracts for Biomass boilers - 160523        

This authority is interested to hear from others who use wood pellets for biomass boilers. They have indicated that wood pellet prices, like gas/electric, have increased a lot over the last year mainly due to the War in Ukraine causing supply and demand issues. They are interested to hear if other local authorities have encountered similar issues, and if so, to share experiences and any solutions managing wood pellet contracts?

 

RENEW195 - Checking the eligibility of residents for ECO4 - 280423       

This authority is interested to hear from other local authorities about how they are checking the eligibility criteria of their residents for ECO4. Their legal team has advised that they would not be able to check it internally because of data protection regulations and want to hear if others have had the same experience with this or previous ECO funding rounds.

 

RENEW193 - Examples of decarbonising council-owned leisure centres - 240423             

This authority is looking at decarbonisation/energy reduction work at their council-owned leisure centre and is looking for case studies from other local authorities that have carried out similar work.

 

RENEW192 - Costs for staff charging EVs at work - 210423          

This authority is interested to hear from others who have any guidance around how much to charge council staff to charge EVs at work. They are particularly interested to hear from those who have a rate in place for this.

 

RENEW191 - Electric vehicle charging infrastructure – council owned housing - 200223

This authority has introduced an Electric Vehicle Strategy, with the aim of promoting the uptake of electric vehicles.

They are seeing an increased number of requests from members of the public to install EV chargepoints in council owned communal car parks at their homes and they expect this will only increase as EVs become more popular. They are concerned about a number of challenges such as, parking tends not be allocated, is there a suitable grid connection and physical space for a charging point, the challenges of mixed tenure (Council/private) and funding of the charger.

They would be keen to hear from other local authorities on how they are approaching EV charging in Housing (i.e., Council owned) communal car parks, or where there is on street parking, with a particular focus on existing developments/communal car parks.

 

RENEW191 - Electric vehicle charging infrastructure – council owned housing - 170323

"They are seeing an increased number of requests from members of the public to install EV chargepoints in council owned communal car parks at their homes and they expect this will only increase as EVs become more popular. They are concerned about a number of challenges such as, parking tends not be allocated, is there a suitable grid connection and physical space for a charging point, the challenges of mixed tenure (Council/private) and funding of the charger.

They would be keen to hear from other local authorities on how they are approaching EV charging in Housing (i.e., Council owned) communal car parks, or where there is on street parking, with a particular focus on existing developments/communal car parks."

 

RENEW190 - Carbon management plan/strategy - 200223          

This authority is interested to hear from others who have an explicit carbon management plan or strategy in addition to any wider plans or strategy for achieving net zero.

In addition, they would like to understand how local authorities conduct verification of their carbon figures used for reporting purposes.

 

RENEW189 - Guidance on climate adaptation for service/business plans - 260123           

This authority is interested to hear from other who have developed self-help guidance on climate adaptation for service/business plans. They are also keen to hear about any toolkits or resources to get services thinking about this important area.

 

RENEW188 - Directorate sustainability plans - 260123  

This authority is in the process of developing sustainability plans within their directorates with SMART objectives towards meeting their net carbon goals and promoting a climate friendly culture. These plans are very much internal documents to support actions across a broad range of activities, from service delivery, commissioning third parties and actions of individual officers at work and at home. They would be interested to hear from others who have similar plans, in particular any examples of such plans, such as the example attached.