A solar panel installation programme for council properties funded through a community-benefit model. 

May 2016:  Decision on hold due to changing national policy on Feed In Tariffs. The position will be review in February 2017 following an EU decision on solar panel import tariffs which may favourably impact the viability of the scheme.

October 2015:

On 15 October 2015 the City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Grant project approval to fit solar panels on Council-owned housing stock in the manner described in this report;

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Head of Finance, to enter into an Agreement to Lease with the Low Carbon Hub IPS (on the basis that this would permit leases to the roof space of individual Council properties to be drawn up and executed if required) plus any ancillary agreement required; and to submit an appropriate VEAT notice to the EU; and

3.    Agree that on the basis of the matters set out in this report, the proposed arrangement with the Low Carbon Hub IPS represents best value to the Council.

The Head of Housing and Property submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed proposals to facilitate the fitting of solar panels on Council-owned housing stock in such a way that it reduces the demands on the HRA capital programme.

Cllr Rowley, Executive Board Member for Housing presented the report and commended the initiative.

The Head of Housing and Property reminded the Board that the recent Government budget announcements and potential policy changes to the Feed-In-Tariff may impact on the viability of this project for either the Low Carbon Hub or the Council.  He explained that the Council was currently pre-registering properties ahead of the anticipated tariff changes.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Housing Panel presented the Panel’s report and recommendation.  She said that the Panel were very supportive of the overall initiative and she was pleased to note that Board Member supported the recommendation to work with the Low Carbon Hub to maximise the benefits of fitting solar panels to Council-owned housing stock.

The Board welcomed the proposals to promote communications and engagement with tenants through the secondment of a tenant liaison officer, funded by the Hub, to work with the Council’s housing and property officers and the tenants.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Grant project approval to fit solar panels on Council-owned housing stock in the manner described in this report;

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive,  in conjunction with the Head of Finance, to enter into an Agreement to Lease with the Low Carbon Hub IPS (on the basis that this would permit leases to the roof space of individual Council properties to be drawn up and executed if required) plus any ancillary agreement required; and to submit an appropriate VEAT notice to the EU; and

3.    Agree that on the basis of the matters set out in this report, the proposed arrangement with the Low Carbon Hub IPS represents best value to the Council.