Green Councillors are welcoming Government funding for solar panels for 6 Sheffield schools.
But think what we could have had!
Green councillors recall that in 2011, a Green budget amendment proposed to invest millions in invest-to-save projects putting solar panels on Sheffield council schools and homes.
Green councillors’ costed budget proposals in 2011 would have harnessed Feed-in Tariff subsidies, providing free electricity to council tenants and a viable income stream to the Council over 25 years.
Cllr Marieanne Elliot, Green Spokesperson of Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee commented;
“It is regrettable that other political groups did not support previous Green proposals to take advantage of Feed-in Tariffs 14 years ago when there was a very generous rate.”
“Greens welcome the new local climate bonds initiative as another source of funding for solar on council run schools, noting that we called for local climate bonds in 2022.”
“We also want solar on council leisure facilities and want to see the leisure investment strategy making maximum use of solar generation so that Sheffield swimming pools are more sustainable.”
After the December full council meeting, Cllr Elliot said;
“I’m pleased we have passed a resolution to ensure that the design of leisure facilities in the investment programme can fully incorporate solar panels”.
Cllr Elliot continued; “Housing Committee are looking at a new solar PV strategy to benefit all council tenants, and Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee are working to progress solar installation on public buildings – these actions are very welcome – 14 years after Greens proposed them.”
“I hope that our council resolution today means we won’t have to wait that long for proper solar energy generation on leisure centres and swimming pools.”
‘It’s a relief that the other parties have finally switched on to the idea of solar energy generation.”
“Last month, in the November full council meeting we passed a Green resolution that called for more solar generation on Sheffield’s public buildings therefore we are pleased that 6 Sheffield schools have now been selected for solar panels. However, we have called for a less opaque process next time the Government provides funding.”
Cllr Toby Mallinson, Deputy Chair of Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, said; “I think we need to know about the process for selecting some Sheffield schools to receive solar panels. The Council has been kept in the dark and has not been approached to nominate schools – is a bit of a mystery as to how the schools were selected by the Government.”
“All 6 schools that have received funding are in wards represented by Labour Councillors including Walkley Primary School in the Council Leader, Tom Hunt’s ward.”
“Our understanding is that the solar panels will be installed in February, before the local elections.”
“We are always pleased when any school receives funding for solar panels – this is estimated to save approximately £25,000 off a schools energy bill. Other schools that are equally deserving of support should have been given an equal chance of being able to access this funding.”
“We would also like to know why 3 of the 6 schools selected are run by Oasis academy and whether schools funded by the council or run by other academies were given the opportunity to express interest.”
The 6 schools selected for the solar panels include 3 schools in the Oasis Academy Trust. The list of primary schools is as follows:
Arbourthorne
Prince Edward
Walkley
Oasis Don Valley
Oasis Fir Vale
Oasis Watermead
