Issue - meetings

To agree acceptance of Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery capital funding of £800,000 and enabling funding of £87,300. To agree an amendment to the HRA capital programme of £1,152,300, to be funded by £887,300 Green Homes Grant and £265,000 for match funding required under the scheme. To agree retrofit works to council properties at a total initial value of £1,152,300 and approve the acceptance of grant funding and the necessary amendments to the HRA capital budget. To award a contract Rybka for consultancy works and Aaron Services Ltd for retrofit works at the initial value of £1,152,300. To allow future call off works for a period of up to 8 years at a value not exceeding £8,000,000 (report of the Portfolio Holder for HRA & Private Sector Housing and Executive Director – Strategy and Resources (S151) enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing and the Executive Director – Strategy and Resources (S151) which  sought agreement for acceptance of Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery capital funding of £800,000 and enabling funding of £87,300; agreement to an amendment to the HRA capital programme of £1,152,300, to be funded by £887,300 Green Homes Grant and £265,000 for match funding required under the scheme; agreement to retrofit works to council properties at a total initial value of £1,152,300; and approval of the acceptance of grant funding and the necessary amendments to the HRA capital budget.

The Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing introduced the report and explained that a successful funding bid but a short timeline had been given for the delivery of works included within the bid. She advised that 300 properties had already had air source heat pumps installed in off-gas areas. She explained that low energy performing properties would be chosen first for improvements and that 70% of the funding for the project would be provided by the government.

The following points were raised:

• Members asked whether there was any evidence from the 300 properties that already had air source heat pumps that tenants would not have to supplement their heating in the winter.
  • The Portfolio Holder responded that tenants were currently being consulted on how their air pumps had been working, and responses would be shared with Members once the consultation was complete.

• Members welcomed the new approach but were concerned that 2035 may be too late in relation to climate change.

The Chairman advised that recommendations 5 and 6 detailed within the report had already been approved via a Portfolio Holder Decision taken on 20 July 2021.

DECISION:

1)    That Council approve acceptance of capital funding of £800,000 under the terms of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme.

2)    That Council approve acceptance of enabling funding of £87,300 under the same scheme.

3)    That Council approve an amendment to the HRA capital programme to include a budget of £1,152,300, to be funded by £887,300 Green Homes Grant and £265,000 to match fund retrofit works in accordance with requirements of the scheme.

4)    That Council approve the acceptance of grant monies together with outlined budget amendments to enable match funding for retrofit works with an initial contract value of £1,152,300.