Agenda item

(1)       The report set out how the County Council could reduce energy costs in street lighting whilst working with the community to improve acceptance of this and reduce the perception that such a policy increased crashes and reduced personal safety. The proposals in the report for safe and sensible street lighting in Kent were informed by the Street Lighting Policy agreed by the POSC in May 2010.

(2)       Street Lighting energy cost the County Council £5.1m p.a. It was on an upward trend and the cost of energy was set to rise year on year, the anticipated increase for the next financial year was over 10%.  KCC had some 118,500 street lights and 29,000 lit signs/bollards. Provision of street lighting was not a legal requirement, except when linked to demonstrable road safety. However it had become established practice over time and almost all street lights in Kent were continually lit during the hours of darkness, ie automatically turn on at dusk (due to a fitted light sensor in each column) and turn off at first light.

(3)       A number of initiatives had been introduced in the past two years to reduce energy consumption:

·        Upgrades

·        Trimming

·        Dimming

The initiatives had reduced the energy charges by £128,000 annually.

(4)       Light pollution and costs could be reduced in locations where the street lights were not contributing to safety at all. Many road lights were installed when vehicles had poor lighting systems and ambient light levels on major urban roads were low. Today, some street lighting was far less effective than the illumination provided by traffic or nearby buildings yet it remained switched on all night.  Where streetlights had been dimmed or switched off, data showed that crashes and crime had not increased.  There was a clear difference between perception and actual data. It was the design of lighting schemes, rather than the number or hours of illumination that was most important. Kent County Council’s aim was to target the wasted lights and energy.  To overcome the negative perception, it was vital to involve residents in discussions about what made some people feel they were less safe.

(5)       A number of potential areas suitable for energy conservation had been identified, including Part Night Lighting; and Removal of Lights.  Future areas for possible review included Dimming; and Central Monitoring System.

(6)       In order to ensure that KCC utilised its limited resources in the best manner it was proposed to follow the agreed Street Lighting Strategy agreed by POSC in May 2010. This would reduce energy costs and protect the environment. The County Council should:-

·        Ensure value was achieved by supplying lighting at the time of greatest demand or need.

·        Manage energy sensibly thus reducing consumption for street lighting.  This would help address the financial challenge to reduce costs of service delivery as outlined in Bold Steps for Kent.

·        Reduce CO2 emission to help meet the challenge of climate change as set out in Bold Steps for Kent.

·        Engage with Kent stakeholders to consult on ways to ensure an appropriate and effective level of street lighting.

(7)       During debate Mr Sweetland

·        Stressed the importance of positive support from the media, and discussions with communities and Joint Transportation Boards

·        Stated that an exception list would be drawn up of locations, street by street, detailing lights to be switched off

·        Recognised the benefit of learning from other County Councils

(8)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)               the specific proposals outlined above, to introduce a common sense approach to safe and sensible management/operation of street lighting, be endorsed with some Members suggesting the proposals could go further; and

(b)       the report and relevant draft minute be circulated to the next round of JTBs for discussion and feedback.