Project LEO is a multi-partner innovation project, and Oxford City Council is a partner. The project is developing an energy flexibility trading market.

To approve a request for £53,500 in additional grant funding from Project LEO (Innovate UK) and, if successful, to use the funding to commission consultancy work (£50,000), and to join Oxfordshire Greentech (£3,500). Oxfordshire Greentech membership is £5,000. The remaining £1,500 will be covered by the Council’s existing Project LEO grant funding.

Decision to request funding and subsequently undertake consultancy work/apply for Greentech membership provides an opportunity for the Council to increase its impact within Project LEO, which is a high profile project both locally and nationally. There is also value to be gained directly for the Council in terms of better understanding its buildings, and for local engagement opportunities.

Commissioning a consultant to assess and quantify the energy flexibility potential in specific leisure buildings will provide the Council with essential information on its buildings to inform future participation in the project’s market trials. 

The buildings are:

·                     Hinksey Outdoor Pool

·                     The Leys Leisure Centre

·                     Barton Leisure Centre

·                     Ferry Leisure Centre

·                     Oxford Ice Rink

Membership to Oxford Greentech is proposed for the final year of Project LEO, to expand successful engagement work about the project already started with the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership.

Both of these activities are subject to successful receipt of additional Project LEO grant funding. If the grant funding is not allocated to Oxford City Council the consultancy work will not be commissioned and membership will not be applied for. In the case of partial funding or higher than expected assessment quotes, consultancy work will be procured for a smaller number of buildings in order to remain within the grant funding available. All costs will be covered within Project LEO grant funding.

Option: Not requesting funding will mean not commissioning building assessments and not joining Oxfordshire Greentech. No alternative funding routes are available.

Rejection reason: Loss of fully funded opportunity to understand the energy flexibility potential of key buildings.  Loss of future proofing opportunity – flexibility is becoming of increasing importance nationally and locally, and will likely need to be considered in future. Loss of engagement opportunities via Oxfordshire Greentech. Loss of opportunity to increase Oxford City Council’s impact within Project LEO. 

Decision taken by Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy