The report of the Director Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted, and the following be approved:

a)    the funding allocation has been accepted;

b)    the project is time pressured and must be delivered by the 31 December 2021;

c)    the potential target area for the project is initially focussed on East Leake; however, it may be extended across other areas in the Borough if uptake in East Leake is limited; and

d)    the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme be amended (as stated at paragraph 7.1.5) noting that the net impact on the budget is zero due to funding via external grant.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community and the Environment, Councillor Brennan presented the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods outlining the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Phase 2 funding programme.

Councillor Brennan confirmed that the funding was designed to improve the energy efficiency of low income households and low energy performance certificate rated homes of all tenure types.  Cabinet was advised that an allocation had been ring fenced for each district, and in April 2021, Rushcliffe had been informed that its allocation would be just under £700,000. Cabinet noted that it was anticipated that the grant would deliver on a number of objectives, details of which were highlighted in the report.  Councillor Brennan advised that the timetable for the delivery of the funding was extremely tight, and the report recommended that a geographical approach be adopted initially to ensure that as many properties as possible would benefit, and an area in East Leake had been identified.  Cabinet noted that a project delivery proposal was in the process of being finalised and had to be submitted by 24 May 2021, and it was confirmed that initially work would be undertaken on 25 properties, with that expectation of works to 64 properties going forward.  Councillor Brennan reiterated that the turnaround time to spend the funding would be extremely tight, with the first 50% required to be spent by September 2021, with all of the activity completed by the end of the year.  Cabinet was advised that the timetable would be challenged further by the requirement to identify specialist contractors to undertake the work; however, officers were confident that with the support of the Midlands Energy Hub and the internal resources available, the programme will be delivered on time.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Moore referred to the great distress caused by fuel poverty, the exacerbation of the problem due to Covid and lockdown, and stated that any scheme to improve energy efficiency would be welcomed by residents in Rushcliffe, and officers were thanked for their hard work in implementing the programme.  Councillor Moore stated that as Chairman of the East Leake Growth Board, he was sure that the residents of East Leake would welcome the programme and that it would be well supported by the Ward Councillors and the Parish Council.  

The Leader confirmed that the Government had set an extremely ambitious target in respect of environmental issues, and as part of that, energy efficient housing would be a key element of that, and it was hoped that the Government would expand the scheme and it would be pleasing to see the positive outcome from the programme.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted, and the following be approved:

a)    the funding allocation has been accepted;

b)    the project is time pressured and must be delivered by the 31 December 2021;

c)    the potential target area for the project is initially focussed on East Leake; however, it may be extended across other areas in the Borough if uptake in East Leake is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66