Decision details

Purpose of Report: To provide an update to the Executive Member on our emerging retrofit action plan to support energy efficiency improvements in council homes. The action plan is being created alongside our existing capital investment programme to improve the thermal comfort of our housing stock and to help tackle issues of fuel poverty.

The report is an update on the council housing opportunities, a final all tenure retrofit action plan will be brought before Executive later this year.

The Executive Member will be asked to note progress and actions required to complete the all tenure retrofit action plan.

Resolved: 

i)  That the progress to date be noted on delivering retrofit works within council homes alongside the development of further analysis and options to deliver further improvements this year and beyond.

Reason: To deliver the council’s ambitions for minimising tenants’ energy bills, building the local green economy and retrofit supply chains, and reducing carbon emissions in the city.

ii)    That the ongoing preparation for a Social Housing Decarbonisation Wave 2 bid be noted following the council’s successful application for Wave 1 funding and that a business case for this investment will be brought forward later this year.

Reason: Grant funding of up to 50% of total costs can substantially increase the pace of retrofit improvements carried out in Housing Revenue Account (HRA) stock.

iii)  That the intention to submit a bid through the anticipated Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund “digitalisation” programme for building performance monitoring and data analytics technology be noted. This would need to be supported by HRA investment and a business case will be brought forward for approval prior to committing to this programme of works.

Reason: This technology can support better informed forecasting of residents’ energy bill savings following retrofit works. This will enable leverage of financial opportunities and facilitate learning opportunities as well as supporting the most effective investment in improvement works.

iv)  That the intention to continue work towards HRA stock decarbonisation within the Retrofit Action Plan, including commissioning of an evidence base to support this, be noted.

Reason: To identify long-term investment priorities and build on the existing stock analysis, and to provide net zero pathway options.