Agenda item

14.1

The report set out detail of grant funding offer secured by the Council, through the Govt’s Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG) 2 scheme. This funding would be used to deliver energy improvement measures to private sector homes across the city that are off-the-gas-grid, targeting low-income households and thermally poor/ inefficient dwellings (EPC D-G).

This project directly supports Sheffield’s strategies and ambitions centred on net zero carbon by 2030, tackling fuel poverty and providing affordable warmth. The associated government funding is time limited. To not access this would be a missed opportunity delivering improvements across the city.

The purpose of this report is therefore to seek approval for the Council becoming the accountable body for HUG 2 grant funding from BEIS and the commissioning of a service provider to deliver the scheme

14.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1. approves the Council becoming the accountable body in respect of the HUG 2 scheme; and

2. approves the commissioning of a service provider to deliver the HUG 2 scheme

14.3

Reasons for Decision

The recommendations as set out in the report will enable the Council to deliver improved energy efficiency, more affordable warmth, and carbon reduction measures to off-gas homes in the private housing sector across the next two years. The HUG 2 project provides an excellent opportunity to retrofit some of the least efficient stock across the city and will contribute towards measurable changes and improvements towards the city’s net zero carbon 2030 ambitions.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The alternative is not to accept the funding. The city would not benefit from the funding and homes will miss out on important energy improvement measures, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and more affordable warmth

13.1

The Executive Director Operational Services submitted a report setting out detail of grant funding offer secured by the Council, through the Govt’s Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG) 2 scheme. This funding would be used to deliver energy improvement measures to private sector homes across the city that are off-the-gas-grid, targeting low-income households and thermally poor/ inefficient dwellings (EPC D-G).

This project directly supports Sheffield’s strategies and ambitions centred on net zero carbon by 2030, tackling fuel poverty and providing affordable warmth. The associated government funding is time limited. To not access this would be a missed opportunity delivering improvements across the city.

The purpose of this report is therefore to seek approval for the Council becoming the accountable body for HUG 2 grant funding from BEIS and the commissioning of a service provider to deliver the scheme.

During consideration of this item of business, and in order for Members of the Committee to ask questions on Part B of the report, it was:

RESOLVED: That the public and press be excluded from the meeting and the webcast be paused before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

The meeting was re-opened to the public and press, and the webcast was recommenced, prior to the decision being taken by the Committee.

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1. approves the Council becoming the accountable body in respect of the HUG 2 scheme; and

2. approves the commissioning of a service provider to deliver the HUG 2 scheme

13.3

Reasons for Decision

The recommendations as set out in the report will enable the Council to deliver improved energy efficiency, more affordable warmth, and carbon reduction measures to off-gas homes in the private housing sector across the next two years. The HUG 2 project provides an excellent opportunity to retrofit some of the least efficient stock across the city and will contribute towards measurable changes and improvements towards the city’s net zero carbon 2030 ambitions.

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The alternative is not to accept the funding. The city would not benefit from the funding and homes will miss out on important energy improvement measures, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and more affordable warmth