Agenda item

Following the adoption of the Tenant Services Energy Strategy in 2017 and the implementation of a programme of energy efficiency improvements across SDC housing stock, this paper presents further investment options for works over the next 8 years.

The Head of Contract Services introduced the report and explained that retrofit work had already been carried out however the report proposed to increase the speed and level of delivery. A lot of data cleansing work had been completed prior to selecting option two for recommendation. He drew attention to items 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 in the report which explained the efforts, reasoning and measures observed before concluding with the recommendation. The Head of Contract Services highlighted the importance the decision held in line with the 2030 strategy and informed the Committee that there was another wave of Government investment available, some of which he hoped could be secured for the Stroud District. He explained option two would be a good base to start with and would allow them to build on it further should further funding become available.

Councillor Baker asked for confirmation that option two was the most financially prudent option and that there would be regular reviews for additional funding, she also asked whether they could revert to another option if further funding or opportunities arose. The Head of Contract Services confirmed, that option two was achievable and sustainable and if they could do more they would.

In reply to members’ questions over the behavioural and lifestyle changes required to ensure efficiency, the Head of Contract Services explained that the behaviour changes were mentioned in the appendices of the report. This detailed that there had been a post created for a ‘tenant liaison carbon reduction officer’ to support the tenants through the changes and assist with any behavioural and lifestyle queries they had. He further explained that whilst they would educate the tenants how their changes would make a difference; they could not force a behavioural change.

In response to further questions the Head of Contract Services confirmed that:

·         The successful bid mentioned in item 4.2 of the report yielded just over £400,000 funding for the project.

·         The decarbonisation project had started 4 years ago in 2017 and would be achievable by 2030.

·         The houses with the lowest SAP rating would be completed first.

·         An estimated 65 properties wouldn’t be able to achieve a SAP C rating however, that didn’t mean that they weren’t completely thermally insufficient.

Councillor Fryer raised concerns about charging higher rent on new builds and relet. The Head of Contract services explained that the work needed to be done and paid for and that paragraph 2.6 contained a few of the options which could be considered. Grant options were a great way to receive funding however, these were unknown and could not be relied upon for steady income.

Councillor Housden asked for confirmation whether CN2030 referred to carbon neutral and if so, was this achievable by 2030. The Head of Contract Services stated that the strategy refers to making the district as carbon neutral as possible and that we needed to play our part in helping to achieve this.

Councillor Jockel enquired as to what the key external factors were which enabled Stroud District Council to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2030. The Head of Contract Services answered with the following:

·         Stock and stock type

·         Embodied energy to build and maintain new builds

·         Income

·         Investment.

In response to a question from Councillor Hynd the Head of Contract Services advised that he would collate and circulate the figures regarding carbon savings achieved since the start of the project.

Councillor Housden questioned whether the council had looked at options to set up own their own housing association. The Chair responded that this request had been spoken of on previous occasion and was not popular with the tenants. She stated that tenant engagement was crucial.

Councillor Baker proposed and Councillor Fryer Seconded.

Councillor Hynd expressed his support for the report and advised that it was clear that Members wanted to help decarbonise the housing stock but it needed to be done in a fiscally responsible way which the option put forward in the report allows. Councillor Schoemaker stated that this project needed to be a flagship project with publicity to help a behaviour change throughout the whole district.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.