Issue - items at meetings - Home Energy Efficiency Investment Options - Green Deal

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

1.                  That the successful grant funding bids set out in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the report be noted;

2.                  That the options and opportunities presented by the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation to meet key objectives in Brighton & Hove and the potential to work with West Sussex County Council, and other local authorities in the region, to develop a model that delivers both Green Deal and ECO opportunities for the benefit of local residents, businesses and the economy be noted;.

3.                  That the Strategic Director, Place be granted delegated authority to sign the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with West Sussex County Council as a potential investor in their Green Deal scheme (attached as Appendix 3 to the report); and

4.                  That it be noted that any final decision on entering contractual obligations with a Green Deal provider will be the subject of a further report to this Committee following a procurement process that will run throughout 2013.

121.1    The Strategic Director; Place introduced the report which outlined the opportunities that could be presented by the Green Deal to meet key council objectives and the potential for working with West Sussex County Council and other local authorities to develop a model for delivery of both Green Deal and energy Company Obligation (‘ECO’) investment for the benefit of local residents, businesses and the economy.  He stated that the report sought approval for the signing of a memorandum of understanding with West Sussex County Council as the basis for further partnership working.

121.2    The Chair welcomed the report and stated that it was the start of journey towards meeting the objectives of Green Deal and that regional working was a key element to achieving this.  He therefore hoped that it would be fully supported by all groups on the council.

121.3    Councillor Mitchell stated that the Labour & Co-operative Group supported the report and felt that it was important to work with other authorities to maximise the benefits.

121.4    Councillor G. Theobald noted the report and stated that he was supportive of working with other authorities.

121.5    Councillor Wakefield stated that she did not feel that Green Deal was the best solution but noted that it was currently the only option available and hoped that benefits would be visible in due course.

121.6    The Chair stated that he had met with social landlords and hoped that they would make use of Green Deal and would support this approach, although he accepted that it was a huge challenge.  He then put the recommendations to the vote.

121.7    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the successful grant funding bids set out in paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the report be noted;

(2)         That the options and opportunities presented by the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation to meet key objectives in Brighton & Hove and the potential to work with West Sussex County Council, and other local authorities in the region, to develop a model that delivers both Green Deal and ECO opportunities for the benefit of local residents, businesses and the economy be noted;.

(3)         That the Strategic Director, Place be granted delegated authority to sign the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with West Sussex County Council as a potential investor in their Green Deal scheme (attached as Appendix 3 to the report); and

(1)         That it be noted that any final decision on entering contractual obligations with a Green Deal provider will be the subject of a further report to this Committee following a procurement process that will run throughout 2013.