One of the main challenges facing local authorities today - that of maintaining frontline services in the face of increasing budget cuts - is well documented. So too is the challenge of reducing carbon emissions to minimise environmental damage. But tackling both at the same time isn't something many local authorities have tried to take on. Until now.

Peterborough City Council has pioneered a new and unique approach to deal with both challenges. It has been one of a few UK local authorities to develop renewable energy generation projects and energy efficiency initiatives to provide income to protect frontline services, as well as contributing to the city's ambition of becoming the UK's 'environment capital'.

Deloitte has been with them every step of the way, providing financial and commercial advice on the Council's overall strategy to use energy as the driver for both commercial and environmental return.

This is a unique commission that has established a new way of helping resource-constrained public sector bodies create revenue streams, reduce carbon emissions and embrace the regeneration and growth agenda. Projects and successes to date are too numerous to mention but include: a roof-top solar panel schools project that has delivered cost savings for the schools and revenue for the Council; a second roof-top solar project for the private rented market to provide local financial and green benefits; creation of a local energy tariff to deliver affordable energy to residents; and the first UK wide non-domestic energy efficiency project in the UK delivering multi-million-pound savings across the council's asset base.

The success of Peterborough's multi award-winning programme has contributed to the Council being recognised as the clear leader in the public sector energy space, combining innovation and commerciality in tackling the austerity period head on.

We're proud to continue to support Peterborough, working with them to identify and deliver effective commercial returns for the Council, and a positive social, economic and environmental impact for its communities in the future.

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