Agenda item

This report presents the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP). This has been produced to provide a roadmap and informed action plan to enable the Council, working with partners and other organisations, to address its Climate and Ecological Emergency commitments and achieve the stated aim of carbon neutrality by 2045.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report presented the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP). It was produced to provide a roadmap and informed action plan that enabled the Council, working with partners and other organisations, to address its Climate and Ecological Emergency commitments and achieve the stated aim of carbon neutrality by 2045.

The Committee considered the plan and made the following comments:

• The Committee was advised that hydrogen is not recommended for domestic heating due to cost, infrastructure leakage, and safety concerns. It was confirmed that hydrogen would be reserved for sectors such as marine and heavy transport.
• In response to a query raised regarding hydrogen trials, the committee was advised that several projects had been cancelled, and national guidance now discourages its use for heating.
• The Committee was advised that the energy plan had modelled scenarios both with and without the Comfort incinerator. Officers advised that heat networks would rely on geothermal and heat pump technologies, and the incinerator’s removal would not significantly affect the overall strategy.
• In response to a query raised regarding constraints at Hatch Pond depot due to limited electric waste vehicle usage, the Committee was advised that upgrades were now in place to enable full-day operations and that additional space and fire safety measures would be required to accommodate future fleet expansion.
• Officers advised that while capital costs for achieving net zero were significant, long-term savings and comparable system costs were expected.
• In response to a query raised regarding funding sources, the Committee was advised that grants, prudential borrowing, and partner contributions would be explored. It was noted that the balanced pathway scenario offered similar costs to a ‘do nothing’ approach when factoring in future energy savings and avoided climate impacts.
• In response to a query raised regarding retrofitting heat pumps, the Committee was advised that a fabric-first approach would be prioritised to improve thermal efficiency before installation.
• In response to a query raised regarding the cultural impact of school travel, the Committee was advised that broader behavioural change would need to address emissions not captured in the plan.
• The Committee was advised that updated housing targets had been factored into the modelling, including scenarios based on 3,000 new homes per year.
• The Committee was advised that assumptions from the Local Transport Plan and Council motions had been incorporated into the scenarios.
• In response to a query raised regarding public transport infrastructure, the Committee was advised that further engagement with operators and stakeholders would be required.
• The Committee was advised that residual emissions would be offset through local greenhouse gas removal initiatives, including nature-based solutions.
• The Committee was advised that offshore wind was excluded from the plan due to its classification as nationally significant infrastructure.
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It is RECOMMENDED that:

1)    The recommendation as outlined in the report be approved by Cabinet.

Voting: unanimous

2)    Cabinet add as an external stakeholder, the community to be represented in all stakeholder engagement, including any panels, meetings or focus groups. 

Voting: unanimous