Decision details

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council, seeking approval to implement changes to lighting levels in the City which will reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

(i)  That lighting levels in residential areas following the installation of new lighting units are reduced by:

·  25% between dusk and midnight

·  50% between midnight and 5am

·  25% between 5am and dawn;

(ii)  That lighting levels on main Primary and Secondary traffic routes, following the installation of new lighting units, be reduced by 25% between midnight and 5am; and

(iii)  To note that some exceptions to this policy for operational reasons may be necessary from time to time and these will be recorded by the street lighting service.

1.  The Council has adopted a carbon reduction policy that has set a CO₂ reduction target of 40% by 2020.

2.  The potential energy consumption (kWh) and carbon emission (CO₂) savings realised by dimming street lights are quite considerable.

1.  The Council, using its PFI partner SSE, is more than halfway through the renewal of all the City’s streetlights. This Core Investment is currently two months ahead of programme.

2.  The new street lighting units can be controlled and dimmed by a Central Management Systems (CMS). This system is completely flexible and can allow individual street lights to be turned off or dimmed to any percentage remotely within seconds. Therefore, there are now unlimited alternative options available.

3.  The proposals are in line with best energy practice and are based on experiences from other councils.