Issue - items at meetings - Home Energy Efficiency Investment options

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

(1)   That Cabinet approves a capital programme budget up to a maximum of £15.0 million for Solar Photovoltaic Panels on council housing stock to be financed through unsupported borrowing in the Housing Revenue Account, which will only be drawn against subject to the approval of the Strategic Director for Place and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to proceed with the scheme.

(2)   That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve the planning, supply, installation and maintenance of the panels via an approved framework agreement and a call off contract or contracts under an approved framework agreement.

(3)   That Cabinet notes the outcome of the initial options appraisal undertaken by Climate Energy, indicating that there is an outline business case to support delivery of a solar photovoltaic scheme across the council housing stock and to meet strategic housing and other council priorities, including private sector housing renewal, reducing fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.

(4)   That Cabinet notes the procurement exercise to establish the Solar Bourne framework agreement undertaken by Eastbourne Borough Council with involvement from partners in the BEST consortium, and that the costs identified through the above procurement further support an outline business case as indicated by the initial options appraisal work.

70.1         The Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place concerning proposals to install solar PV panels onto council-owned residential properties to take advantage of the government’s Feed-in Tariff and work towards meeting the council’s strategic housing goals, including reducing fuel poverty, minimising CO2 emissions and improving tenants’ homes to ensure that they are of high quality and well maintained.

70.2         Councillor G Theobald welcomed the progress being made on the project, which was initiated by the previous Administration. He questioned whether the fully-funded approach was the most desirable and whether all tenants would see the benefit, or only those in properties where solar PV panels were installed.

70.3         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the proposals and highlighted the importance of explaining the process clearly to tenants.

70.4         The Chair confirmed that some tenants would benefit more at the beginning of the project, but that others would benefit as it was rolled out. He stated that the council had chosen the most prudent funding route with the greatest benefit to the city. He noted that jobs would be provided as a result of the project.

70.1         RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the following recommendations be accepted:

(1)         That Cabinet approves a capital programme budget up to a maximum of £15.0 million for Solar Photovoltaic Panels on council housing stock to be financed through unsupported borrowing in the Housing Revenue Account, which will only be drawn against subject to the approval of the Strategic Director for Place and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to proceed with the scheme.

(2)         That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve the planning, supply, installation and maintenance of the panels via an approved framework agreement and a call off contract or contracts under an approved framework agreement.

(3)         That Cabinet notes the outcome of the initial options appraisal undertaken by Climate Energy, indicating that there is an outline business case to support delivery of a solar photovoltaic scheme across the council housing stock and to meet strategic housing and other council priorities, including private sector housing renewal, reducing fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.

(4)         That Cabinet notes the procurement exercise to establish the Solar Bourne framework agreement undertaken by Eastbourne Borough Council with involvement from partners in the BEST consortium, and that the costs identified through the above procurement further support an outline business case as indicated by the initial options appraisal work.