Appendix A
MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE REPORT
Environment Scrutiny Panel
Final Report – Energy Efficient Street Lighting
Executive Member for Streetscene Services and Transport Paul Thompson
Director of Environment - Mike Robinson
11 April 2011
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.
To present the service response and action plan based on the recommendations of
the Economic Regeneration and Transport Scrutiny Panel’s final report on Energy
Efficient Street Lighting.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
2.
To accept the actions detailed in response to the Scrutiny Panel Report’s
recommendations on Energy Efficient Street Lighting.
IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?
3.
It is over the financial threshold (£75,000)
It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards
Non Key

DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE
4.
For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is
Non-urgent
Urgent report

If urgent please give full reasons
BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION
5.
The overall aim of the Scrutiny investigation was to consider the current action that
the council is taking to reduce energy usage on street lighting.
6.
The panel held two meeting on 24th January 2011 and 18th February 2011 to
consider this topic.
7.
The panel has made five conclusions from the evidence presented by officers and
from their own research. These conclusions are listed below;

The energy needed to power Middlesbrough’s 24,000 street lights, plus traffic
signals and illuminated road signs, costs around £1m each year. Middlesbrough
Council has recognised street lighting as an area where energy reduction can be
used to make financial savings as well as to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
 Action has been taken to investigate the most energy-efficient lighting solutions and
to replace lighting with more efficient types wherever possible. A Street Lighting
Energy Reduction Plan has been devised, which will be implemented in conjunction
with a five year lighting renewal programme. Information submitted to the scrutiny
panel suggests that this will continue to provide opportunities to reduce energy
consumption.
 The authority has also acted to ensure that energy reduction is balanced against
the cost effectiveness of replacement lighting. New lighting schemes will continue to
take into account energy reduction as well as future maintenance and repair costs.
It is recognised, however, that in some cases, returns on investments will be
achieved over the longer term.
 The Council has recognised that new lighting developments mean new
opportunities to improve energy efficiency, as well as lighting effectiveness, and is
at the forefront of street lighting developments. The authority has been involved in a
number of new lighting trials, which have assessed effectiveness as well as
opportunities to reduce energy consumption. The scrutiny panel is please to see the
progress that the Council is making in this area.
 The scrutiny panel welcomes proposals to develop schemes to dim street lighting
late at night and during the early hours, when traffic levels are light and pedestrian
numbers are low. In addition, the panel considers that - as has happened in some
other local authority areas - switching off completely some lights should also be
considered as a means of reducing energy usage further. This would not only save
energy but any financial savings would contribute to maintaining Council services.
8.
The Overview and Scrutiny Board considered the final report and recommendations
of the Scrutiny Panel on 8 March 2011. An Action Plan has been produced based
on panel’s recommendations and this is attached. The recommendations are as
follows:
i.
That the invest to save approach in respect of street lighting is continued as this will
realise energy savings over the longer term. This should involve regular reviews of
the Street Lighting Energy Reduction Plan and continued development of the Five
year Renewal Programme on a rolling basis
ii.
That targets are set for street lighting energy reduction so that progress can be
measured in future.
iii.
That, subject to consultation with the public and emergency services and the
authority being satisfied in respect of any risk factors involved, the Council
undertakes a trial of switching off some areas of street lighting for part of the night.
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
9.
Not applicable.
OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT
Response to Scrutiny Recommendations
That the invest to save approach in respect of street lighting is continued as
this will realise energy savings over the longer term. This should involve
regular reviews of the Street Lighting Energy Reduction Plan and continued
development of the Five year Renewal Programme on a rolling basis
10.
This process has now been embedded in the service planning of the Highways and
Transportation Service area.
That targets are set for street lighting energy reduction so that progress can
be measured in future.
11.
Based on the measures proposed in the action plan a target for energy reduction
will be set for 2011/12 onwards.
That, subject to consultation with the public and emergency services and the
authority being satisfied in respect of any risk factors involved, the Council
undertakes a trial of switching off some areas of street lighting for part of the
night.
12.
The authority already undertakes dimming of street lights on certain roads on the
network that do not have adjacent residential properties. The only examples found
to date of authorities switching off street lights are in rural areas or on inter urban
roads. As Middlesbrough is predominantly urban it is not considered an appropriate
course of action for this authority due to safety and security concerns for
pedestrians and residents. There is also a cost associated with implementing
equipment adaptations to enable remote switching off of lights, which may outweigh
the energy savings if only small areas are covered. It is considered that the current
mixed approach outlined in the Street lighting Energy Reduction plan is the best
approach to take for Middlesbrough.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS
13.
Financial – The annual budget for street lighting is geared towards incremental
efficiencies in energy use.
14.
Ward Implications –All wards will eventually be affected by the proposals in the
report as the rolling programme of improvements continues.
15.
Legal Implications – There are no legal implications resulting from this report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
16.
To accept the actions detailed in response to the Scrutiny Panel Report’s
recommendations on Energy Efficient Street Lighting.
REASONS
17.
The Executive needs to take a decision on the Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations
in light of the Service Response and consideration of this matter by the Corporate
Management Team. As part of the authority’s commitment to One Plant Living,
more energy efficient street lighting operations are being pursued.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
18.
The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report:
Final Report of the Economic Regeneration and Transport Scrutiny Panel: Energy
Efficient Street Lighting– Overview and Scrutiny Board 8th March 2011.
AUTHOR: Derek Gittins, Highways and Transportation Manager
TEL NO: 728636
______________________________________________________
Address: [email protected]
Website: http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk