Figures suggesting Moray Council’s energy use has reduced by 4.4% were yesterday criticised as being “deceptive” – by the leader of the authority.
Members of the policy and resources committee members were presented with the figures yesterday, suggesting a decline in energy use across council buildings over the past 12 months.
But councillors queried whether the reduction had been achieved by changing attitudes among local authority staff, or simply because the body had cut the number of buildings it uses.
The council’s estates manager, Stuart Beveridge, admitted the loss of several offices “had a bearing” on the figures.
“That will have helped our performance”, he added.
Council leader and chairman of the policy and resources committee, Stewart Cree, suggested the figures were misleading.
He said: “One of the graphs we have been shown would flatter to deceive in some ways.
“It looks like we are on a downward trend, but heating consumption figures are higher than in the last three years.
“That’s certainly an indicator of inefficiency and something we would want to see addressed.”
Mr Beveridge said that, amid rising fuel prices, cutting consumption was a major priority for the local authority.
He said: “Energy costs continue to rise, and managing the council’s consumption remains important both in reducing carbon emissions and saving money.”