Agenda and draft minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any substitute Members.

There were no substitute Members reported.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 April 2024.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 April 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To consider a performance report on the Street Lighting PFI contract for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.

The Committee received a report which explained the performance aspects of the conduct of the Street Lighting PFI Contract in the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.

The report detailed the performance of the service provider against several contract performance standards and local indicators for the specified period. which included additional details on electricity consumption, spend and reduction programmes.

Members asked officers if there had been a cause behind the dip in Newcastle performance figures, and officers stated this was due to difficulties in accessing some of the lighting on Newcastle City Centre’s busiest roads and junctions.

Officers confirmed there had already been significant savings in the shift over to LED lighting.

A member raised a query regarding the installation of panic button in underpasses. Whilst there were no identified technology concerns, beyond the monitoring of these systems, there were monetary considerations in going forward with this.

It was resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider a financial report on the Street Lighting PFI contract for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.

The Committee received the Street Lighting PFI Finance Report for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.

Members discussed the role of the Expiry Manager and the steps that would be taken as the Street Lighting PFI contract’s end was in sight.  This meant that the state of the full list of current assets, asset life cycles and timescales were being explored, and the Committee agreed to the officers suggestion that an earlier survey would be prudent.

Officers confirmed that energy savings were strong, andf that Financial reports would continue to be presented at future Joint Street Lighting Committee meetings.

Officers confirmed that potential options were still being reviewed regarding the contract’s end.

It was Agreed that the Street Lighting PFI Finance Report for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 be noted.

The date and time of the next meeting to be agreed in consultation with the Chair.

Members agreed to the next meeting taking place in June 2025 – date to be confirmed.