Agenda item

The Strategic Director and the Property Services Manager introduced the report which set out the council’s progress to reducing carbon emissions within council owned homes, new home development and initiatives within private sector housing and outlined the background to the report.

A report ‘Making Homes Carbon Neutral’ had been considered by Cabinet on 10 March 2021 which focussed on a ‘fabric first’ approach to specific areas of works.  A retrofit co-ordinator had been appointed by the council to oversee the formulation of a risk based strategy to ensure risks were minimised and it was recognised that this was key to delivery.

It was emphasised that the emerging local plan was critical to how new developments and private sector initiatives could commence. It was noted that there was broad support for carbon neutrality being at the heart of the plan, with the tests anticipated around viability, therefore a consultant had been appointed to carry out a viability assessment.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report, in summary, questions on the following matters were raised and responded to accordingly.

·         Clarification of the percentage of council owned homes, in comparison to privately owned and rented properties and the number of void properties annually - it was reported that there were 5,000 council owned stock with plans to build an additional 1,000 dwellings. There were approximately 350 void properties per year, equating to 8% of the council stock.

·         Clarification of risks around costs and materials – it was noted that costs were increasing across construction tenders. Specialised materials and the availability of specific skilled trades could prove be difficult to acquire and source.

·         Planning restrictions to the retrofit of historic housing stock and proposals to change to planning policy.

·         New homes building standards – It was reported that Passivhaus standard looked to limit the amount of energy used to heat a home and it was the aim to achieve this on all new developments to meet the council’s net zero carbon challenge.

·         Options to reduce energy use for tenants over the short to medium term.

·         Sharing skills and best practices with other authorities and organisations.

During debate, the committee recognised the need for continuous tenant engagement in the retrofit process. However, it was emphasised that the climate emergency was a responsibility for the whole of the district and for everyone to contribute towards.

At conclusion of debate, the Chairperson thanked the Cabinet Member and the housing team for the report which was welcomed by the committee, recognising the considerable commitment of the council to retrofitting council owned homes. In addition, it was noted that, once the proposed sustainable long term retrofit plan was available, this be considered by the committee via the Carbon Neutrality Programme, including the impact of measures on carbon reduction, and value to the tenants and the council.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the progress made to date in relation to the housing theme of the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan, set out in sections 3 to 6 of the report, be noted; and

2.         That the comments of the committee, as set out above, be noted.