Agenda item

The Deputy Leader of the Council present the report that outlined options of the provision of LED street lighting. The Council was responsible for 3,893 streetlamps. The Council was not responsible for streetlights on main roads such as the A1 and other highways.   

It was noted that the options presented in the report demonstrated a positive payback of approximately five years.

Clarification was sought on the funding around the upgrading of streetlights to LED.

The Chief Finance Officer clarified that this item had been brought back to Committee due to the previous payback excess being 12 years due to energy costs at that time being low enough to not justify the level of investment. Due to unfortunate escalation in costs, this had been brought back to Committee for further consideration.

Members were reminded of the recommendations and were requested to base discussions around the infrastructure of wholesale replacement or replacement when a bulb is replaced with an energy efficient bulb due to coming to the end of its life.

Funding would be allocated appropriately from the existing reserves following the Committee meeting and future Cabinet recommendations.

It was suggested whether the £300,000 climate change reserve could be partly utilised for this scheme.

The Leader of the Council reminded the Committee to include any considerations for Cabinet within their recommendations.

Lincolnshire County Council had an existing policy on streetlights that the Committee could utilise as a template for conditions on the matter.

The Deputy Leader of the Council highlighted that the £300,000 climate change reserve should be used for other schemes rather than one scheme.

A concern was raised on which reserves the £1m would be taken from to fund the scheme.

One Member felt that there was not enough information provided in the report regarding dimming and turning off lights to be able to make a decision.

It was noted that following roll-out of the upgrading of LED streetlights, it was suggested there be a period of time to consult with Parish Council’s on locations of where they feel the dimming or turning off of lights be appropriate.

The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that the item would be brought back and further evidence on anti-social behavior hotspots would be requested by the Police and Crime Commissioner. Further consideration had to be given to CCTV cameras being blighted and operational effectiveness as a result of turning off streetlights.

At a previous Finance and Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee, it had been discussed that the £1m would be taken from reserves: £500,000 from the local priority reserve, £250,000 from the invest to save reserve and £250,000 from the budget stabilization reserve. It was hoped that the £300,000 climate change reserve be put to use on other climate change and energy saving efficiencies.

Members agreed for this item to be brought back to Committee on 12 December 2023 where further debate with ‘overnight dimming’ or turning off lights could be discussed.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED:

1.    To proceed with the strategy for upgrading streetlights with LED lamps.

2.    To schedule further discussion with ‘overnight dimming’ between the hours of midnight and 6AM or to turn off some streetlights between 1AM and 6AM.