A loan to given by Bath and North East Somerset for a local solar array to be created has been authorised, following earlier questioning by a number of councillors.
As part of the Council’s open and transparent decision making processes, the recent decision by the Council’s Cabinet Members Cllr Paul Crossley (Leader of Council) and Cllr David Bellotti (Cabinet Member for Community Resources) (made on 2nd September 2014), was reviewed by the Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel at a public meeting on the 29th September 2014.
The call-in follows a decision by the Cabinet Members to in principle make the loan of £500,000 to the Wilmington Farm Solar Array, subject to due diligence.
They also made a decision to authorise the Divisional Director for Strategy & Performance, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources, to authorise the loan once satisfied that due diligence has been completed and subject to relevant terms and conditions.
Subsequently, 10 councillors wrote to the Scrutiny panel asking for the decision to be looked at again – or ‘called-in’.
The call-in process means that an executive decision, which has been made but not yet implemented, can be scrutinised to check that it was made following the correct evidence and procedures.
To assist in their deliberations, the Panel received a range of written and verbal evidence, interviewed the Cabinet Members, senior Council officers, and Cllr Liz Richardson on behalf of those Councillors who signed the request to review the decision for the call-in request.
The panel had three options before them. They could refer the matter to full Council to undertake the Panel’s role; they could ask the Cabinet Members to reconsider their decision or, they could allow the Cabinet Members to proceed as originally agreed.
Having considered the evidence, the Panel voted to dismiss the call-in and allow the decision to be implemented as set out.
Cllr Robin Moss, the Panel chair, said: “The call-in meeting was very constructive, with participation from the signatories of the call in, the Cabinet Members and members of the public.
“The unanimous view of the Panel was that the Cabinet Members’ decision needs to be implemented, but that full council should be informed of this important decision.”
Councillor David Martin (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat), who is the Council’s Member Champion for Energy and Climate Change, spoke at the call-in panel meeting.
He commented: “People of all ages and backgrounds have demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm for supporting this investment proposal.
“Due diligence has shown that the Cabinet members’ decision in principle is robust financially and is fully in line with the Council’s policy objectives in promoting renewable energy through leading by example, by partnership working and community enablement.
“I look forward to seeing the solar farm project built and operating in the near future.”
Councillor Rob Appleyard, (Westfield, Liberal Democrat), who sat on the call-in panel, added: “The solar farm project has been proven to be a sound investment for the Council and I am delighted that the panel voted unanimously to reject this call in.
“As soon as the Conservative Group heard the full financial explanation they backed down and proposed that their own call in be dismissed.
“This whole process has been a waste of time and resources and smacks of a political stunt.”
