Agenda item

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL - RECORD OF DECISION

UNLOCKING CLEAN AIR IN GREATER MANCHESTER

I, Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council’s constitution do hereby:

(1) endorses Salford City Council’s formal sign-up to the Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supported project which includes proposals for a solar farm on council land by Kenyon Way and a Hydro-electric installation at Charlestown Weir.

(2) Agree to the amounts set out as match funding in the report.

(3) Agree to Salford City Council signing a partnership agreement with Energy Systems Catapult to allow continued participation in this project and to access ERDF Grant.

The Reasons:

Salford City Council is seeking to install solar PV at its site in Kenyon Way, Little Hulton and potentially a Hydro scheme at Charlestown Weir in order to increase local renewable energy generation and increase the flexibility of local energy supply as part of its contribution towards Greater Manchester’s target of becoming a carbon-neutral city region by 2038. Both Salford schemes have planning permission.

ERDF funding has been sought to address a gap in funding for the proposed investments and to ensure the City Council is able to generate a surplus across the lifecycle of each project. The project “Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM)” is led by the Energy Systems Catapult, with the consortium also including, Stockport, Wigan, Rochdale and Manchester Councils.

To access ERDF funds to support the Salford elements of the project Salford City council must now enter a partnering agreement with the Lead Partner - Energy Systems Catapult.

Assessment of Risk: The programme has a risk register in place and mitigation measures

The source of funding: Both schemes were included on a self financing basis in the 2020/21 capital programme agreed by council in February 2020. At this stage the full cost of the schemes was estimated at £3.076m including £1.784m as Salford’s matched contribution. The difference in the revised match funding of £2.098m will need to be included as part of the 2021/22 capital programme. This remains on a self financing basis.

Legal Advice obtained:  Tony Hatton, Principal Solicitor, Shared Legal Service

Financial Advice obtained:  Alex Archer, Finance Manager.

HR Advice obtained: n/a

Procurement Advice obtained: Heather Stanton, Category Manager, Level 2

Climate Change Implications obtained: Mike Hemingway, Principal Officer Climate Change 

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:

·         Five year Environment Plan for Greater Manchester

·         Salford’s Climate Change Strategy - Creating a city prepared for the future

·         report submitted to Property/Regen Briefing on 12 October 2020

Contact Officer: Mike Hemingway, Principal Officer Climate Change 

Tel No 0161 793 3209

This decision was published on 12 October 2020.

This decision will come in force at 4.00 pm on 19 October 2020 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.