The temperature in council buildings will be turned down as energy costs continue to heat up.
Members of the economy and resources committee agreed to 13 energy saving measures during Monday’s meeting as the local authority’s energy bills are set to jump from £6.4 million to £9.7 million.
The steps include reducing the heating season by three months from October 1 to March 31 and adjusting heating systems with a set point of 18 degrees Celsius instead of 21 in schools, leisure centres, libraries, offices and the rest of the estate.
Nurseries, additional support needs and activity and resource centres will not be included in the move.
The report said the rising cost of living in relation to energy costs will place a “significant budget pressures” on the local authority for the foreseeable future.
One union had raised an issue with the temperature reduction but the council said they have been given reassurances it won’t have a negative impact on staff with underlying health conditions.
Annandale and Eskdale councillor Archie Dryburgh said: “I think we need to do whatever we can do to try and reduce our energy costs within the council and we need to do it in a way that brings our workforce along with us as well.
“I was at the health and safety committee the other day and the issue about reducing the office temperature to 18 degrees was raised by a Unison safety representative.
“I understand there have been discussions with other union reps and I’m looking to clarify that this has been discussed and other reps are happy with this?
Paul McCulloch, the council’s property estates and programmes manager, replied: “I can confirm to members there’s been quite a bit of dialogue with trade unions colleagues on that particular matter.
“The concern from trade union colleagues is around individuals with underlying health conditions. What we’ve agreed is we’ll work with trade unions and ensure there’s no detrimental impact on any of our staff.
“We’ll do that through impact and risk assessment and trade unions are quite happy with that approach.”
As part of the energy-saving move by the council inspectors will carry out energy efficiency checks and PC shutdown software will be introduced.
Schools in Dumfries and Galloway are responsible for 50 per cent of the council’s energy consumption while leisure facilities use up 14 per cent with DG1 consuming the most.
