Climate Change Committee Members Note Progress On Council's New Non-domestic Building Heating Policy

6th October 2023

Highland Council is working on a new and defined policy/guidance for the provision of heating within schools, offices, leisure facilities and other types of non-domestic buildings.

Although many buildings already operate within normal parameters, there are known instances where temperature setpoints and operational hours have been found to be out with expected parameters, to the detriment of good energy performance, budget management and comfort.

It is estimated that overheating a space by one degree in temperature can result in up to an 8% increase in energy use and cost.

Chair of Highland Council's Climate Change Committee, Cllr Karl Rosie, said after yesterday's meeting: "With increasing costs of heating Council buildings, application of the policy has the potential to generate significant financial savings and reductions in carbon emissions.

"The application of a heating policy also has the potential to typically improve comfort conditions for building users through consistent and reliable delivery of heating to occupied spaces. It also plays an important role in our move towards Net Zero."

The Built Estate and Energy Thematic Group has been instrumental in the continued development of the policy. Proposals considered to date are highlighted in the scope of Heat Policy, which can be found on the Council website at Item 7 of the Climate Change Committee papers, along with Property Management's ‘Non-Domestic Heating Adjustment Guidance.

The Thematic Group will undertake the appropriate consultation and the stakeholders identified for engagement include but are not limited to:

Union representatives
Property Management
FM Staff
Service representatives
High Life Highland
Building occupiers
Service users

The development of the Heat Policy forms an integral part of the development of the Net Zero Action Plan. Any future proposal will be presented as part of the work being developed by the Built Estate & Energy Thematic Group.

Under current timelines it is proposed the adoption of any future policy would commence after school Easter holidays 2024 and be implemented in a phased manner.