Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Operations.

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Operations (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the Housing Services Climate Change Strategy 2024/29 (also previously circulated).

The submitted report stated that in July 2019, this Council declared a climate emergency; in relation to Council housing, tackling climate change and reducing the tenant’s fuel bills were high priorities for the Council; Government targets of achieving an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C for all Council homes by 2030 and net zero carbon by 2050, needed to achieved; due to the long-term nature of the strategy and given there were still many unknowns in relation to funding, developing technology and capacity, it was difficult to provide precise targets as to how or when net zero carbon for all the Council’s homes would be achieved; Housing Services Climate Change Strategy 2024/29 covered the initial actions required over the next three to five years; and that the Strategy would be continually updated to ensure that the Council remained on course.

It was reported that the strategy had been considered and endorsed by the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 3 January 2024 and by the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 4 January 2024.

Reference was made at the meeting to the implications of the proposals on flats should all the flats in a particular block not be in Council ownership.  The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio responded thereon.

RESOLVED  -  (a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Housing Services Climate Change Strategy 2024/29, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS -  (a)  The Council, as a social housing provider, is required to meet Government targets in relation to climate change, specifically achieving an EPC rating of C for all the Council’s housing by 2030 and net zero carbon by 2050.

(b)  The adoption of a formal Housing Services Climate Change Strategy will help to monitor progress towards those goals.

(c)  Tackling climate change and reducing Council tenant’s fuel bills are high priorities for the Council.