Agenda item

Presentation by Assistant Director Housing and Revenues

The Housing Asset and Compliance Manager gave a presentation (previously circulated) updating Members on the Climate Change Strategy 2024-2029.

The presentation outlined the aims of the strategy and details were provided of the actions taken in 2024/25 in relation to retrofit. Members noted that £1.27m funding was secured from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund wave 2.1; that this money had been used, alongside the Council’s matched contribution to roll out retrofit works to 130 homes; and this work was due to be completed in May 2025. Details were provided of the energy efficiency measures applied.

It was reported that further funding was applied for in September 2024 under the government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund wave 3 and the Council was successful in the bid, securing £3.6m funding for a 3 year programme to upgrade 1600 properties. Members noted that the Council had committed over £4m each year over the lifetime of the MTFP for energy efficiency works.

The presentation also provided details of actions taken in 2024/25 in relation to new build homes. Members were advised that new builds were built to a standard of EPC B; that solar photovoltaics and air source heat pumps were included as standard; and electric vehicle chargers would be installed in line with new building regulations.

Details were provided of the planned and responsive maintenance and in relation to EPC’s Members were advised that 51 per cent of council properties now had an EPC C or above; that there had been an increase of 184 homes having reached EPC C or above from 2024 to January 2025 and roughly 1400 homes had a high scoring EPC D and required minor works to obtain an EPC rating of C.

Details were also provided of the plans for 2025/26 with Members noting the inclusion of the Tree and Woodland Strategy and progress on the action plan was outlined.

Discussion ensued on those properties with low or no EPC ratings; Members were informed that stock modelling was undertaken for those properties with no EPC ratings and those properties with the lowest EPC ratings were in receipt of targeted work in the first instance.

Concerns were raised regarding the progress being made to retrofit the council’s housing stock in order to achieve net zero carbon by 2050; Members were informed that the next wave of funding would enable work to be undertaken on up to 1700 properties, however there were a range of factors to consider and further clarity was required in relation to the government’s plans for gas boiler installations.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.