Agenda and draft minutes

There were apologies for absences which were received from Cllr Ghafoor, Cllr Moores, Cllr Hindle and Cllr Williamson.

There were no public questions.

The Minutes of the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board held on 6th December and 21st December 2023 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED- that the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st December 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources, Paul Clifford: Director of Economy and Nasir Dad Director of Environment presented to the Scrutiny Board a presentation on Oldham Green New Deal.

The Director of Economy presented the first half of the presentation on Oldham’s new green deal update.

It was noted that Oldham Council are working towards 2025 and 2030 carbon neutrality targets, with the 2022/23 Council’s carbon footprint being at 6,379 tCO2e, a decrease by 25% on the 2018/19 baseline. Oldham Borough had emissions at 841.5 ktCO2e and per capita emissions were at 3.5 tCO2e. Emissions had rose by 10% in the borough in 2021, with this being suggested as a result of covid-19 lockdowns.

The Scrutiny Board noted that the Oldham Green New Deal Delivery Partnership had been working on new initiatives for the last few years and was now moving to the implementation phase. The Council had secured 1.5 million from the DESNZ local Net Zero Accelerator Program via the GMCA to fund the implementation and expansion of the community led energy planning approach developed by Carbon Co-op.

A Green New Delivery Group had been established as a subgroup of the Oldham Partnership Board, with it being noted that the board is a mixed group of regional, businesses and community stakeholders.

Members heard that an independent Assurance provider had been procured although had not been appointed at the time of the meeting.

The Director for Economy informed the Board that the Council was also applying for £150K of grant funding from Innovate UK, with the objectives of using the funding to support community wealth building.

Members noted the Oldham Low Carbon Heat Network phase 1 as detailed in the presentation. Phase 1 involved an expansion of the existing St Mary’s heat network with a new 2MW hybrid energy centre using heat from air source, wastewater source and mine water source. In addition, the expansion would involve 27 building connections across 5 phases including council, educational and residential sies with 30GWh/ annum heat demand and around 4.6km of new pipework. This was to be delivered by a JV with OGND delivery partner.

Members heard that Oldham Low Carbon Heat network phase 2, the core scheme located in St Marys cost £30 Million. The future expansion of remaining areas would cost £90 Million, with the hopes that delivering carbon savings will go a long way to helping Oldham Council achieve net neutrality.

Members noted that for Oldham Low Carbon Heat Network phase 3, the Council had secured £.8.7 Million from the Green Heat Network fund grant, which also included £1 Million in revenue for the next stage of feasibility and to evaluate mine water boreholes at Rhodes Bank. It was stated that Phase 3, would deliver Caron savings of an estimated 3,700 tCO2e per annum.

Members were informed that as part of Phase 3, Oldham’s Local area energy Plan showed potential for up to £340 Million of heat network opportunities in the borough.

As part of Oldham Low Carbon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Board considered it’s work programme for 2023/24.

Resolved- that

a) The Place, Economic growth and environment Scrutiny Boards work programme 2023/24 be noted.

The Board considered the Key Decision document, which had recorded the key decisions that the authority is due to take.

Resolved: that the Key Decision Document be noted.