Cornwall Council staff to be trained how to turn off lights
It's after concerns lights were left on at one of Cornwall Council’s main buildings during the cost of living crisis
Following concerns that lights were left on at one of Cornwall Council’s main buildings during an energy crisis, the council admits it was a mistake and that staff will now be trained to switch them off.
It was a case of the lights are on but nobody’s at home on Saturday when a dog walker discovered a fully illuminated Chy Trevail building in Bodmin, which accommodates over 600 staff.
The man, who took photos of the building lit up with screens left on, at 9.30pm, told us yesterday: “I was out dog walking last night at Chy Trevail in Bodmin and I noticed the place lit up like a Xmas tree. How can the council justify leaving all the lights and TVs on? We’re constantly told there is an energy crisis. They put our council tax up. For what reason? Because they have forgotten to employ staff that are qualified to use a light switch?”
There were complaints about the same issue in 2018.
A council spokesperson has admitted it was an error. They said: “Following an investigation, we can confirm the atrium lights at Chy Trevail were left switched on accidentally on this occasion. Training will be given to ensure this is an isolated incident.
“Cornwall Council is committed to reducing its energy use, and has taken many steps to do so, including the installation of solar panels at both County Hall in Truro and at Chy Trevail. A new lighting control system has also been installed in Truro to ensure the amount of time lights are left switched on is minimised.”
This isn’t an isolated incident as there were complaints last summer when Lys Kernow (New County Hall in Truro) was pictured with all the lights on at gone midnight.
Chy Trevail includes a central atrium for the main reception and public facilities, as well as open plan flexible work-space over three floors. The building has “a highly energy efficient design driven by a challenging DEC rating and incorporates 200kw photovoltaics to generate on-site renewable energy, low energy LED lighting, improved insulation, air-tightness and measures to reduce water consumption”.
Staff will now be taught that the last one out must turn off the lights.