Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the outcome of the 18-month street lighting dimming trial (carried out from January 2023 to June 2025) and seeking approval for County streetlights to be dimmed to 30% intensity permanently from 20:00 hours to 07:00 hours.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 10”, is filed with these minutes.

Comments of the Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which had considered a report on 4 September, were circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Whitford CC noted that significant savings had been achieved, there had been minimal adverse feedback, and the Police had raised no concerns, and he was therefore pleased to endorse the recommendations. 

RESOLVED:

a)    That the comments of the Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    That the outcome of the trial be noted;

c)    That the dimming of County streetlights to 30% intensity from 20:00 hours until 07:00 hours be approved;

d)    That the Director of Environment and Transport be authorised to make alterations to the dimming of streetlights following feedback from Leicestershire Police and other key stakeholders in accordance with the approved risk assessment.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24-2026/27 identified potential savings by reducing the street lighting service. The following savings have been achieved through the trial:

a) Reduced street lighting energy costs by £539,759;

b) Reduced street lighting energy consumption by 1,442,770 kWh;

c) Reduced carbon emissions by 319.3 tonne.

The trial had a positive impact on reducing costs while leaving lighting in place, albeit at reduced levels.

Dimming of streetlights will result in future savings in the form of reduced future energy costs due to reduced energy consumption. However, if the price per unit of energy increases, associated electricity costs will also increase.

Delegation to the Director will enable a prompt response to any future issues that may arise.

Dimming of streetlights to 30% from 20:00 hours until 07:00 hours across the County is considered a “departure from standards” and does not meet criteria for lighting classes within the British Standard for roadway lighting BS5489. It therefore required the Cabinet’s approval to implement as a permanent measure.