The Head of Housing and Property has submitted a report which seeks amendment to a previous approval for the funding and procurement of a project to improve the energy efficiency of the Council’s hard to treat housing stock and optimising the available Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding.

Officer Recommendations: That the City Executive Board:

1 Grant amended project approval for the Council to gain optimum value for money, utilising ECO or Green Deal funding if possible, but using only previously agreed Council budget if the external funding cannot be accessed.

2 Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration and Housing, to authorise the Council’s entry into all appropriate contracts required to implement this project.

The Head of Head of Housing and Property submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which sought amendment to a previous approval for the funding and procurement of a project to improve the energy efficiency of the Council’s hard to treat housing stock and optimising the available Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding.

 Cllr Seamons, Executive Board Member for Housing and Estate Regeneration presented the report. This project had to be revised because the Government withdrew its funding.  The Council’s contribution will mean at least 50-60 properties can be renovated starting with the ‘hard to treat’ properties and more money might be available through the Green Deal.

The City Executive Board resolved to

1 Grant amended project approval for the Council to gain optimum value for money, utilising ECO or Green Deal funding if possible, but using only previously agreed Council budget if the external funding cannot be accessed.

2 Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration and Housing, to authorise the Council’s entry into all appropriate contracts required to implement this project.

This report seeks approval for funding and procurement of a project optimising the available Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding to improve the energy efficiency of the Council’s hard to treat housing stock.  More specifically it asks the Board to:-

(1)  Grant project approval for the Council’s involvement in the project to utilise ECO funding, in combination with funding supplied by the Council, to improve the energy efficiency of the Council’s hard to heat housing;

(2)  Note the officer virement of £250k from the underspend in the 2013/14 Housing Revenue Account capital programme and the inclusion of a further £250k in the draft 2014/15 Housing Revenue Account budget to fund the Council’s contribution to this project;

(3)  Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director, Housing and Regeneration, to authorise the Council’s entry into all appropriate contracts required to implement this project;

(4)  Agree that if ECO funding is not successful, that alternative proposals for the work to proceed be brought back for member consideration.

The Head of Housing and Property submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended).

The Head of Housing and Property updated the Board on matters relating to the subject of the report in relation to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, as follows:-

·         the amount of total funding available had been diluted due to the first ECO programme being extended for two years to March 2017

·         changes to funding streams meant a move towards funding the 25% most deprived areas

·         there would be a reduced emphasis on solid wall insulation and an increased emphasis on cavity and loft insulation

·         active support was required to mix green deal and ECO.  Companies had indicated this required a mix of private and social housing on an area by area basis.

Energy companies remained keen to continue discussions with the Council on the initiative.

Resolved to:-

(1)  Grant project approval for the Council’s involvement in the project to utilise Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding, in combination with funding supplied by the Council, to improve the energy efficiency of the Council’s hard to heat housing;

(2)  Note the officer virement of £250k from the underspend in the 2013/14 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme and the inclusion of a further £250k in the draft 2014/15 HRA budget to fund the Council’s contribution to the project;

(3)  Grant delegated authority to the Executive Director, Housing and Regeneration, to authorise the Council’s entry into all appropriate contracts required to implement the project;

(4)  Agree that if ECO funding is not successful, alternative proposals for the work to proceed be brought back for consideration;

(5)  Ask that a report back on progress be brought to the Board’s first meeting in the Council Year 2014/15.