Committee Report Checklist 

 

Please submit the completed checklists with your report. If final draft report does not include all the information/sign offs required, your item will be delayed until the next meeting cycle. 

 

Stage 1

Report checklist – responsibility of report owner 

ITEM	Yes / No	Date
Councillor engagement / input from Chair prior to briefing	Yes	03/10/25
Commissioner engagement (if report focused on issues of concern to Commissioners such as Finance, Assets etc)	N/A	-
Relevant Group Head review	Yes	20/11/25
MAT+ review (to have been circulated at least 5 working days before Stage 2)	Yes	20/11/25
This item is on the Forward Plan for the relevant committee	Yes	20/11/25
	Reviewed by
Finance comments (circulate to Finance)
Risk comments (circulate to Lee O’Neil)
Legal comments (circulate to Legal team)	LH	19/12/25
HR comments (if applicable)	N/A

 

For reports with material financial or legal implications the author should engage with the respective teams at the outset and receive input to their reports prior to asking for MO or s151 comments.

 

Do not forward to stage 2 unless all the above have been completed. 

 

Stage 2

Report checklist – responsibility of report owner 

ITEM	Completed by	Date
Monitoring Officer commentary – at least 5 working days before MAT	L Heron	19/12/25
S151 Officer commentary – at least 5 working days before MAT	T.Collier	21/11/25
Confirm final report cleared by MAT

 

 

 

 

 

Environment & Sustainability                           

 

Thursday 8^th January 2026

Title	Green Horizon Programme Q1&Q2 Updates
Purpose of the report	To note (Briefing pack only)
Report Author	Arthur Stokhuyzen: Climate & Energy Lead
Ward(s) Affected	All Wards
Exempt	No
Corporate Priority	Environment Services
Recommendations	Committee is asked to: To note the report
Reason for Recommendation	This report is for noting only

 

1.            Executive summary of the report (expand detail in Key Issues section below)

What is the situation	Why we want to do something
•      The Green Horizon Programme was approved as a workflow at Environment & Sustainability Committee (E&S) to deliver the Council’s ambition to be Net Zero at Scope 1 &2 emissions. •      As a part of the approval, it was agreed to improve governance and accountability by providing consistent updates to E&S to demonstrate progress, opportunities and barriers.	•      There are no immediate actions to take because of this update
This is what we want to do about it	These are the next steps
•      There are no recommendations	•      To note the report and understand the position of the Council’s progress towards Net Zero and Green Horizon Programme delivery

 

2.            Key issues

2.1         This report provides a progress update for Q1 and Q2 of FY 2025/26 against the delivery targets set out under the Green Horizon Programme (GHP). The GHP underpins the Council’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions following its Climate Emergency declaration. The programme remains on track across most key workstreams, with significant carbon and cost reductions achieved in the first half of the year. RAG scores across the 10 key workflows are as follows: 6 Green, 3 Amber & 1 Red.

2.2         The graph below highlights the breakdown of emissions by sector by month from April 2020 until October 2025. Note: the complete decline of electricity emissions from April 2025; major decline in gas and small decline in fleet emissions since the GHP began in April 2025.

2.3         The graph below highlights the breakdown of emissions by sector by month from April 2020 until October 2025.

2.4         The graph below shows total emissions by month compared to all previous recorded years.

 

 

 

2.5         All comparisons are made to Financial Year (FY) 24/25.

2.6         In Q1&Q2 the GHP has reduced emissions by 268.43tCO2e at a 37% reduction.

2.7         Cost savings total to £172,219 compared to Q1&Q2 FY24/25 which can be attributed to a reduction in energy costs and consumption.

2.8         Headlines: tCO2e Emissions

 

Quarter	Sector	24/25	2526	Diff. tCO2e	% Diff.
Q1	Elec.	74.82	0.00	-74.82	-100.00%
	Gas	76.56	64.93	-11.63	-15.19%
	Fleet	174.66	170.41	-4.26	-2.44%
	Total	327.21	237.28	-89.94	-27.49%

 

Quarter	Sector	24/25	25/26	Diff. tCO2e	% Diff.
Q2	Elec.	108.09	0.00	-108.09	-100.00%
	Gas	49.98	43.93	-6.05	-12.10%
	Fleet	173.59	168.46	-5.13	-2.96%
	Total	332.81	214.27	-118.54	-35.62%

 

Quarter	Sector	24/25	25/26	Diff. (£)	% Diff. (£)
Q1	Elec.	£132,552.29	£91,529.85	-£41,022.44	-30.95%
	Gas	£39,869.00	£21,340.00	-£18,529.00	-46.47%
	Fleet	£70,386.97	£71,060.99	£674.03	0.96%
	Total	£242,808.26	£183,930.84	-£58,877.41	-24.25%

2.9         Headlines: Costs

 

Quarter	Sector	24/25	25/26	Diff. (£)	% Diff. (£)
Q2	Elec.	£177,226.95	£86,275.84	-£90,951.11	-51.32%
	Gas	£36,728.00	£16,402.00	-£20,326.00	-55.34%
	Fleet	£72,195.61	£70,129.80	-£2,065.82	-2.86%
	Total	£286,150.56	£172,807.64	-£113,342.93	-39.61%

 

2.10      Targets: below find a run down of progress of each target detailing a narrative and the relevant projects

2.11      Increase building energy efficiency 

(a)      Target: 20% reduction in energy (gas & electricity, kWh) by end FY 26/27 from ‘SBC Climate Emissions 24/25’. 

(b)      Reporting: Q1 Energy consumption decreased by 12.88%. Q2 Energy consumption decreased by 30.30%. 

(c)       Projects: Solar Expansion Project is in pre-development. 

(d)      Narrative: FY 25/26 Q1&Q2 Update 

i)          Q1: Energy consumption decreased by 12.88% largely attributed to a 15% reduction in gas consumption and 12% reduction in electricity. This can be attributed to a warmer Q1 as well as works involving the ‘Building Decarbonisation’ Action Plan including upgrading Building Management Systems (BMS) to improve operational efficiency.  

ii)         Q2: Energy consumption decreased by 30.3%, attributed to a 40% reduction in electricity and 12.10% reduction in gas. Some legacy billing consumption from electricity at Eclipse leisure centre has skewed these figures a little. Although the Hydromx pilot project has been delivered and is demonstrating savings, however, it is too early to assess the project.

iii)        Co-operation with building services is ongoing and continued co-operation with the assets team has demonstrated clear reductions. Work will continue to build on these gains moving forward

(e)      Due to energy costs and consumption decreasing we have seen a dramatic decrease in operational costs. As highlighted in headlines table above.  

2.12      Reduce Gas Usage 

(a)      Target: 30% reduction in emissions from gas CO2e by end FY 26/27 from ‘SBC Climate Emissions 24/25’ 

(b)      Reporting: gas emissions decreased by 15.19% in Q1 and by 12.1% in Q2.

(c)       Projects: The Hydromx project was delivered in Q2. Early reporting of Hydromx is promising a full Hydromx review will be delivered to E&S Q1 FY26/27. Narrative: The gas reduction is likely to be attributed to Building Decarbonisation action plan, involving works such as boiler scheduling changes delivered around April, some BMS improvements, mild weather and consistent engagement with site managers. 

2.13       Deliver 100% Green Electricity Tariff 

(a)      Target: Deliver 100% renewable energy tariff for our electricity supply by FY 26/27 

(b)      Reporting: Delivered 

(c)       Narrative: The SBC REGO tariff was certified at the beginning of Q1. This ensures that all our electricity comes from a renewable energy source and has an emission factor of 0. By the end of Q1 this had reduced our reported emissions by 133.3tCo2e and by a total of 241tCO2e by the end of Q2. 

(d)      Moving forward LASER is looking to provide an updated option for renewable energy tariffs. This would be in the form of a cPPA (corporate Power Purchase Agreement) which would improve the robustness of reporting between us and the generator. This option has been offered – it is being explored alongside the Property Accounts and Building Systems Manager. 

2.14      Deliver HVO 

2.15      Target: Deliver Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for operational internal combustion engine (ICE) fleet by FY 26/27 

2.16      Reporting: In Q1 the project received approval to begin with Corporate Policy and Resources Committee (CPRC). In Q2 the project team (Neighbourhood services) returned to CPRC to request approval to procure. This was approved – Project is in procurement, hoping to be delivered by FY 25/26 Q4.  

2.17      EV Transition 

(a)      Target: 20 EVs added to the fleet by FY 26/27 

(b)      Reporting: In Q1, we received 2 new electric vans as part of the Spelride community fleet. No new vehicles in Q2 and we are forecasting 7 more vehicles for the Nursery in Q3. 

(c)       Narrative: Neighbourhood services are replacing required non-waste fleet vehicles with EVs, which is a promising development moving forward. Consistent and ongoing communication is demonstrating that the EV transition is being embedded into future service plans. 

2.18      Improve Efficiency of Fleet 

(a)      Target: Reduce fuel use of fleet by 10% from ‘SBC Climate Emissions 24/25’ 

(b)      Reporting: In Q1 we saw a 2.54% reduction in fuel consumption and in Q2 we saw a 3% reduction in fuel consumption. Saving 9.53tCO2e across Q1&Q2 this year. 

(c)       Narrative: Very few resources have been put into this, Neighbourhood Services are unsure as to why this has consistently decreased. 

2.19       EV Infrastructure Improvements 

(a)      Target: Increase EV Infrastructure across the operational estate by 30 chargers by FY 26/27 

(b)      Reporting: No Q1 or Q2 developments. 

(c)       Projects: there are two major projects in the pipeline for delivering and improving the EV infrastructure across our estate. The first is the GIF funded EV charging infrastructure improvements across Fordbridge, Greeno and the White House Depot. This will be delivering 5 further chargers. 

(d)      In addition, the Eclipse Leisure centre car park will be delivering 32 new chargers which can be used for any expansion to the EV fleet and is also being funded through the GIF. 

(e)      Narrative: Promising, however, the extended new governance processes are severely hampering the ability to deliver these chargers. Particularly when the operational capacity for EV infrastructure is increasing. There have been numerous cited incidents with the new EC Spelride vans and the lack of charging capability. 

2.20       Identify & Measure Current Offsetting Assets 

(a)      Target: Deliver a report to identify and measure the current offsetting assets of SBC operationally managed land by FY 26/27 

(b)      Reporting: Pre-Project Development  

(c)       Narrative: At the end of Q2 this project was initiated and has moved into the project development phase looking to go to E&S in January to ideally deliver by the end of Q4 25/26. 

2.21       Tree Planting 

(a)      Target: Plant 2,000 trees by FY 26/27 

(b)      Reporting: 76 trees planted in Q1&Q2, 3.8% of the way towards the target. 

(c)       Projects: In Q1, we went through project development to build an application for Trees Outside Woodland Fund in Q2. Pending response. Update for this can be given in Q3. Q3: application for funding was unsuccessful looking for alternative funding streams 

(d)      Narrative: having moved away from a broader tree management plan approach due to the resource constraints and an officer departure. We have moved to a project-based approach to deliver on this target. 

2.22      The only outstanding project not included under this progress is the Sustainable Procurement of goods target. It is not possible to analyse this data on a quarterly basis. Additionally, there has been no interaction with the Procurement team due to ongoing resource constraints.

2.23      Outline of objectives, targets and current status

Theme​	Objective​	Target (by FY 26/27)​	Current Progress (Q1–Q2)​	Status (RAG)​
Energy​	Building Energy Efficiency​	20% reduction in total energy use vs 24/25 baseline​	Energy use ↓ 12.88% Q1 & ↓ 30.30% in Q2	🟢 On Track​
	Reduce Gas Usage​	30% reduction vs 24/25 baseline​	Gas ↓ 15.19% in Q1​ & 12.10% in Q2	🟢 On Track​
	100% Renewable Electricity​	100% REGO-certified supply​	Delivered in Q1​	🟢 Achieved​
Fleet​	Deliver HVO Fuel​	100% of operational ICE fleet using HVO​	Project approved; in procurement​ phase	🟢 On Track​
	Transition to EVs​	20 EVs in fleet​	2 EVs delivered; 7 expected Q3​	🟠 Amber / In Progress​
	Improve Fleet Efficiency​	10% reduction in fuel use​	2.5% (Q1) + 3% (Q2) = 5.5% total​	🟢 On Track​
	Expand EV Infrastructure​	+30 chargers across estate​	0 delivered; 35 in pipeline​	🟠 Amber / Delayed​
Procurement	Reduce Emissions from Procured Goods & Services	10% Reduction in procured goods and services compared to 24/25 baseline	No engagement with procurement or viable reporting framework	🟠 Off Track – Not Started
Offsetting & Biodiversity​	Identify & Measure Offsetting Assets​	Baseline report delivered by FY 26/27​	Project initiated Q2; in development​	🟢 On Track​
	Tree Planting​	2,000 trees planted​	Funding application submitted Q2​	🟠 Amber / Early Stage​

 

3.            Options appraisal and proposal

3.1         Not applicable as this report is for noting only.

 

4.            Risk Implications[HL1] 

4.1         All relevant risks associated with the Green Horizon Programme have been detailed under the project narratives. As there are no risk implications with this report there are no risk comments

 

5.            Finance Comments[HL2] 

5.1         All relevant financial information associated with the Green Horizon Programme have been detailed under the project narratives. As there are no finance implications with this report there are no associated finance comments.

 

6.            Legal Comments

There are no specific legal implications arising directly from this report, but it should be noted that Spelthorne Borough Council had declared a climate emergency and set target for achieving net zero status.  All associated workstreams must be undertaken in compliance with all relevant legislation, rules and regulations.

Corporate implications

 

7.            S151 Officer comments

7.1         As a briefing item no decision is being made. However, positive to note the financial savings being made as well as the environmental benefits.

 

8.            Monitoring Officer comments

8.1         The Monitoring Officer confirms that the relevant legal implications have been taken into account.

9.            Procurement Comments

9.1         There are no procurement  arising directly from this report.  All appointments relating to the associated workstreams must be in accordance with the Council’s contract standing orders and all applicable legilsation.   

 

10.         Contact

10.1      Please contact Arthur Stokhuyzen: Climate & Energy Lead (a.stokhuyzen@spelthorne.gov.uk)

Please submit any material questions to the Committee Chair and Officer Contact by two days in advance of the meeting.

 

Background papers: There are none.