Will the new County Hall be Energy Efficient?

5.40.00pm GMT Wed 24th Mar 2004

Artist's impression of proposed new County Hall, Woking - from the joint SCC and Equion consultation literature

At the County Council meeting on March 23rd, Lib Dem councillor Colin Taylor commented that pictures of the new County Hall show a glass-clad building. Such buildings tend to feel too hot in summer and too cold in winter - or use lots of energy maintaining comfort.

He asked the Executive Member for Resources and Best Value 'In the light of the Council's recently adopted policy on Energy Efficiency, can you confirm that an independent Energy Audit of the plans for the new County Hall will be carried out by appropriately qualified professionals?'

'Will you also confirm that construction will not commence until the results of this audit have been assessed against likely future rises in the costs of energy, to ensure that a sound balance has been struck between the costs of initial construction and the costs of operation over the intended life of the building?'

This resulted in a detailed reply assuring members that there will be an energy audit before the new premises are built. 'My concern was that County Hall should not just satisfy minimum criteria, but offer Council Tax payers the best possible value for money' said Colin, 'and that must include the future running costs'.

The Council's energy efficiency policy was adopted following an earlier Lib Dem initiative. It has already resulted in significant cost savings at existing County premises. This challenge should ensure that there can be no excuse for wasting energy at our new County Hall.