The Head of Corporate Strategy has submitted a report to approve Oxford City Council’s submission of a bid to Government under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund 2.1 bidding round to seeking funding towards a retrofit programme for around 300 council houses.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.      Grant approval for Oxford City Council to submit a funding bid in the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 2.1 bidding round in November 2022, seeking a Government funding contribution towards a retrofit programme for around 300 council houses;

2.      Delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Strategy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, and the Head of Housing Services, to finalise the bid document for submission to Government by 18 November 2022;

3.      Recommend to Council that if the bid is successful it grants approval for the release of up to £6.050 million of HRA capital funding required for match funding under the terms of the SHDF 2.1 scheme in accordance with the estimated spend profile in paragraph 24;

4.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People) in consultation with the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Officer to spend the HRA funds together with SHDF 2.1 grant funding for the purposes of the proposed retrofit scheme, including entering into contracts with contractors to deliver the works;

5.      Note that officers are developing plans for tenants’ involvement to help shape the funding bid, to build understanding and support for the application of energy saving measures in tenants’ homes, and – if the bid is successful – to work with the appointed contractor to ensure appropriate arrangements are made to support the tenants of those properties involved during the period of works; and

6.      Note that officers have entered into contracts with consultants with a total value of c£25,000 to develop the bid proposals and complete the associated documentation for submission.

The Head of Corporate Strategy had submitted a report to approve Oxford City Council’s submission of a bid to Government under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 2.1 bidding round to seek funding towards a retrofit programme for around 300 council houses.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, highlighted the benefits of the retrofit programme in terms of reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy costs, and its potential for providing jobs and growth.  Councillor Smith highlighted that it was important for the council to take every funding opportunity in order to achieve its aims of improving the energy performance ratings of its housing stock and moving towards net zero by 2040.  Following an unsuccessful bid in SHDF round 1, the new bid included a focus on tenant involvement, with a tenant ambassador on the programme board and a tenant involvement strategy.  This was considered to strengthen the bid, and would also help to ensure successful delivery of the programme if funding is awarded.

Comment was also made that retrofitting offered a more environmentally sustainable solution than, for example, the demolishing and rebuilding of stock.  It would also have a direct benefit for the tenants of those properties included in the scheme by reducing their energy costs.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.        Grant approval for Oxford City Council to submit a funding bid in the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 2.1 bidding round in November 2022, seeking a Government funding contribution towards a retrofit programme for around 300 council houses;

2.        Delegate authority to the Head of Corporate Strategy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, and the Head of Housing Services, to finalise the bid document for submission to Government by 18 November 2022;

3.        Recommend to Council that if the bid is successful it grants approval for the release of up to £6.050 million of HRA capital funding required for match funding under the terms of the SHDF 2.1 scheme in accordance with the estimated spend profile in paragraph 24;

4.        Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People) in consultation with the Head of Financial Services / Section 151 Officer to spend the HRA funds together with SHDF grant funding for the purposes of the proposed retrofit scheme, including entering into contracts with contractors to deliver the works;

5.        Note that officers are developing plans for tenants’ involvement to help shape the funding bid, to build understanding and support for the application of energy saving measures in tenants’ homes and – if the bid is successful – to work with the appointed contractor to ensure appropriate arrangements are made to support the tenants of those properties involved during the period of the works; and

6.        Note that officers have entered into contracts with consultants with a total value of c£25,000 to develop the bid proposals and complete the associated documents for submission.