Okehampton Council slated for rejecting solar panels

At a meeting of the Council Property Committee last night, the a plan to install solar panels on Council buildings was rejected - despite the availability of grants, and the fact that there had already been expenditure on the project.

Reaction to the decision was swift.  Councillor Kay Bickley made the following posting on Facebook:

"OK - If you had the potential to put Solar PV on the roof of public building paid for potentially by a grant giving source, thus reducing energy costs, producing an income stream for the stewards of the public building and savings for the community paying for its upkeep - what would you decide to do? Vote Yes or No?"

The local Green Party also expressed a strong opinion:

"Tonight Okehampton Town Council Property Committee voted not to progress putting Solar Voltaic Panels on the roof of the Council buildings. This is despite having put money into the budget to do so at a Full Council Meeting in the expectation that the council would proceed to put the PV on the roof, planning permission having already been obtained to do so (at a cost to the council) and information shared with them that the EDF Green Fund was now open for applications for grant funding to potentially supplement or even cover the costs involved.

Councillors had the figures before them from a reputable local company using top quality panels. Not all Property Committee councillors were present. Two councillors on the committee voted to put Solar PV on the roof and 3 voted against. Views on this decision can be made to the clerk of Okehampton Town Council Don Bent, the Chairman of the Property Committee Cllr Tony Leech who has put considerable work into this initiative or even to the Okehampton Times. Better still, Okehampton People!! Comment  below!!)"