Purpose

To Utilise the Councils
allocated decarbonisation Capital fund to apply additional solar PV
to the Markets and Library as part of the existing construction
project.

Decision

 

ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION
 

Date of Decision:

22/05/25
 

Title:

Solar PV on Markets and Library.

Decision Maker:
(Including Job Title)

Kevin Fisher, Assistant Director Property
& Facilities Services
 

Details of Specific Delegation
 
or
 
Delegation contained in the relevant
Sub-Scheme of Delegation.
 

On Monday 14th February 2022,
Cabinet gave authorisation of a Capital budget to identify and
deliver a number of decarbonisation schemes to be funded through
this budget and/or through external funding, where available.
 

Agenda for Cabinet on Monday 14 February 2022, 10.00 a.m. -
Rotherham Council Item 107 Budget and Council Tax 2022/23 and
Medium term Financial Strategy. Approved recommendation 11 of the
Capital programme detailed in
Appendix 3B ‘Operational Building Decarbonisation’
Capital project.
 

Printed minutes Monday 14-Feb-2022 10.00 Cabinet.pdf
 
Minute 107 refers.
 
‘Resolved:- That Cabinet recommend to
Council: 1. Approval of the Budget and Financial Strategy for
2022/23 as set out in the report and appendices, including the
proposed budget adjustments and investments, a basic Council Tax
increase of 1.5% and an Adult Social Care precept of
3%.’’
 
The schemes would be retrospectively reported
to cabinet on an annual basis (February) as part of the Climate
Emergency Annual Report.

Decision:

The decision has been taken to utilise
£350,000 of the Council’s capital decarbonisation
budget to maximise the solar PV on the town centre markets and
library rooftops.

Reasons for the Decision:

In February 2022, Cabinet approved a budget to
support the decarbonisation of the Council’s corporate
estate.
 
An opportunity has arisen to enhance the solar
photovoltaics (PV) already included within the Markets and Library
projects. As the site is to be electrically heated as per planning
requirements, further solar PV will reduce the ongoing revenue
requirements for the site following completion and avoid the need
for retrofit at a later date to meet the Council’s
decarbonisation targets. Maximising on site renewable generation
will also improve the sites operational carbon footprint.
 

Details of alternative options considered and
rejected:

The Council has also considered retrofit of
the site with solar panels after the completion of the current
construction scheme. However, due to the Council’s 2030
target and the timeframe for decarbonisation being short a later
retrofit may also void any roofing warranties applied and
potentially interrupt service delivery. Installation as part of the
existing project and contract is therefore preferred.
 
Doing nothing was also considered, but this
would lead to increased revenue costs to the Council and would not
ensure a decarbonised estate.
 

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet
Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the
decision:

None declared.

Dispensations Granted:
(If any)

Not applicable.
 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision
Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an
outside body which relates to the decision:

None declared

Dispensations Granted:
(If any)

Not applicable
 

Reports or parts of reports considered

The report of the Strategic Director of
Finance and Customer Services – Markets and Library Solar
PV.

 
I certify that this
is a true record of the executive decision to:
 
Utilise £350,000 of the Council’s capital
decarbonisation budget to maximise the solar PV on the town centre
markets and library rooftops.
 
I confirm that in
making this decision, due regard was given to the seven principles
of public life.
 
Signed by the
Decision Maker:
 
.
 
Dated:         
22nd May 2025
 
Name:         
Kevin Fisher.                    
Job Title:     Assistant Director,
Property & Facilities Services