CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT 2006

The following Private Members Bill has succeeded in passing all the parliamentary hurdles and has passed in Statute.

Background

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by Mark Lazarowicz, (Lab, Edinburgh North & Leith). The Act aims to promote the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, the alleviation of fuel poverty, the promotion of microgeneration and the introduction of a renewable heat obligation.

It aims to promote renewable energy sources, and make it cheaper and easier for people to generate their own energy.

In addition, the Act requires the government to submit an annual report to parliament regarding current levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the efforts being made to reduce them.

It will also introduce targets for the take up of the microgeneration of energy.

Impact on parish councils and community councils

Clause 20 of the Act empowers parish councils in England and community councils in Wales to encourage or promote the energy-saving measures in their area.

A parish council or community council may encourage or promote any of the following:

microgeneration within their area

the use within their area of electricity generated, or heat produced, by microgeneration

efficiency in the use, by persons in their area, of electricity, heat, gas, fuel and other descriptions or sources of energy

reductions in the amounts of such energy, or sources of energy, used by persons in their area

production in their area of biomass or any fuel derived from biomass use in their area of, or of electricity generated, or heat produced, from biomass or any such fuel

The general power to encourage or promote energy-saving measures includes a power for parish councils and community councils to provide information, advice and assistance, including financial assistance.

Any expenditure incurred by the parish councils and community councils, under clause 20, is to be treated as if incurred under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.  This means that it will count towards the limit placed on expenditure under section 137(4).