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Cabinet met on 17 July 2023 and agreed reciprocal arrangements for enforcing energy performance rules on council-owned buildings in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. A council cannot enforce these rules on buildings it owns, so it passes the duty to another authority.
Executive Members (with Portfolios): Councillors: Anthony Hunt – Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership Richard Clark – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children, Families and Education Peter Jones – Executive Member for Corporate Governance and Performance Sue Morgan – Executive Member for Resources David Daniels – Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing Mandy Owen – Executive Member for Environment Joanne Gauden – Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration Fiona Cross – Executive Member for Communities Officers: Nigel Aurelius – Deputy Chief Executive Justine Cass - Deputy Monitoring Officer and Solicitor Jason O’Brien – Strategic Director, Children and Family Services Dave Leech – Strategic Director, Adults and Communities Daniel Morelli – Head of Public Protection and Environmental Services Kerrie Smith – PA to Leader and Deputy Leader (Maternity Cover) Niall Flack - Apprentice Democratic Services Officer
2.1 Apologies were received from Stephen Vickers – Chief Executive.
3.1 There were no declarations of interest.
4.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record.
5.1 There were no actions arising from the previous meeting.
6.1 The Executive Member for Environment introduced the above report and advised that this report relates specifically to the enforcement of energy performance legislation that seeks to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, reducing their carbon emissions and lessoning the impact of climate change. The requirements, include the need for structured assessments and reporting on aspects of buildings that have a bearing on energy use. Councils are identified in the legislation as enforcement authorities and have a responsibility to enforce certain duties in their area. There is also a requirement for Council’s to transfer enforcement duties to another authority to assess compliance and undertake enforcement at buildings they own or control that are within scope. The Executive Member Environment commended the report to Cabinet, recommending the approval of reciprocal arrangements for the enforcement of energy performance requirements in Council owned and controlled buildings in the areas of Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. The Executive Member Environment noted that Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet approved the reciprocal arrangements in May 2023. 6.2 The Head of Public Protection and Environmental Services informed the meeting that legislation was first introduced in 2008 and this required structured assessments and reporting of aspects of buildings, which have a bearing on their energy use, such as the construction style, fabric used and insulation measures amongst other things. The law gives responsibilities for enforcement to local authority Trading Standards services. The Council cannot enforce the legislation in respect of buildings that it owns or controls, so is required to transfer enforcement duties to another enforcement authority. Only certain buildings are within scope of that fall into particular criteria. A copy of the proposed agreement is attached in Appendix B and this agreement has been consulted on with Public Protection and Legal colleagues. There are no significant resource implications associated with implementing this agreement and it helps to ensure the authority is compliant with legal obligations. If Cabinet agree the report, the agreement will be published on the Council’s website. 6.3 The Leader commented that it is important that we take a lead on the subject of energy performance within our buildings. 6.4 The Executive Member Resources commented that this legislation is important, but it is something that we would be seeking to collaborate with other Local Authorities to improve our energy efficiency and is key to unlocking resources into other local authority areas. 6.5 Cabinet agreed to approve the reciprocal arrangements for the enforcement of Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 (as amended) in Local Authority owned and controlled buildings in the areas of Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Councils.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
The minutes record no declarations of interest.
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