Lib Dems tell County Council to stop wasting money on sky high energy bills

Liberal Democrats are calling on Conservative run Surrey County Council to adopt proposals in a recently published report about carbon and energy policy which sets out ways in which the County Council could save money on its sky high energy bills and reduce its carbon emissions, benefiting the environment.

Cllr Hazel Watson, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Surrey County Council said: "I'm calling on the County Council to improve the energy efficiency of its corporate buildings to save money on its energy bills. The County Council spends about £3 million a year on energy bills for its corporate buildings, a figure which could be massively reduced. The money saved could be spent on vital services.

"According to a recent county council report, if the council made a one off investment of £3.2 million on energy efficiency measures such as solar panels, LED lighting and more efficient boilers, it would save over £400k per year. This would mean that all the money would be paid back in eight years with further savings in subsequent years, as well as reducing the council's carbon emissions. This would be a sensible use of £3.2 million of the council's £95 million earmarked reserves.

"Conservative-run Surrey County Council is virtually burning money to fuel its buildings, I would much rather see this money spent on vital services."

ENDS

PDF reports:

SCC Report CARBON AND ENERGY POLICY FOR 2015 TO 2019

Annex A. C&E Policy. Emerging policy briefing

Annex B. C&E policy. Indicative Investment and Return for Corporate Estate

Annex C. C&E Policy. Indicative Investment and Return Schedule for Schools