To answer questions submitted by Opposition Group Leaders on items on the agenda.
Minutes:
Question from Councillor Jones to Councillor Brennan.
“What specific outcomes did the Government’s Green Homes Local Authority Delivery Scheme Phase 1 achieve in Rushcliffe in its short timescale, how much of the allocated money was not used and what happened to that money?”
Councillor Brennan responded by confirming that the first rounds – LAD1a and LAD1b were issued last year and it had been a competitive process. The Council had not applied for funding as the schemes were aimed towards housing stock holding local authorities. The Council had secured funding under the second phase, which was allocated through the Midlands Energy Hubs, and the Cabinet would be considering this report later in the meeting.
Councillor Jones asked a supplementary question to Councillor Brennan.
“Given the short timescale of seven months left in the Phase 2 Scheme, before the available money was presumably lost back to the Government, was it really realistic to get contractors to do that work in East Leake, and would the Cabinet consider telling the Government to stop those short term allocations and make long term, green allocations so that Councils could plan sensibly ahead?”
Councillor Brennan responded by stating that it would be a challenge to find suitable contractors to undertake the work and deliver within the set timescale; however, looking at internal resources and working with strategic partners, it was anticipated that the work would be delivered during the set timescale and it was noted that the Council would continue to support the Government with its ongoing objectives to promote green technology and funding.
Question from Councillor Thomas to Councillor Brennan.
“We are pleased that the proposal for the LAD funding is to target the Rushcliffe Estate in East Leake, though somewhat disappointed that we have heard about it only through the Cabinet papers. Do you see any role for the Ward Members and Parish Council in encouraging uptake?”
Councillor Brennan responded by confirming that the support of Ward Councillors and the Parish Council to encourage homeowners to take advantage of the available grants would be welcomed. If the Scheme was approved by Cabinet, further details would be available at the beginning of June 2021, and once the project delivery programme had been finalised, it would be the appropriate time to consider how to disseminate the information to residents, with the support of Ward Councillors and the Parish Council. It was noted that other potential areas across the Borough were also being considered for energy efficiency measures. Councillor Brennan referred to the issue of Ward Councillors being unaware of the Scheme until the Cabinet agenda had been published, and stated that although it was important that information was not announced prematurely, to avoid raising expectations, before a decision had been made, as a courtesy Ward Councillors should be notified before such information became public.
Councillor Thomas asked a supplementary question to Councillor Brennan.
“What was the Publicity Strategy to encourage people to take up the offer?”
Councillor Brennan responded by advising that when the Action Plan and Work Programme were in place, a Publicity Strategy would be produced to raise awareness of the Scheme and Ward Councillors would continue to be updated.
Question from Councillor J Walker to Councillor Brennan.
“Will the Cabinet commit RBC to an open and transparent procurement process that prioritises the use of local suppliers and trades people so that we can keep money from being extracted out of our communities when tendering for the LAD scheme therefore ensuring Rushcliffe SME’s benefit as well as residents from this scheme?”
Councillor Brennan responded by confirming that the Council’s Procurement process was both open and transparent and accessible to all. The Council supported local business in many ways including work programmes and projects that it looked to commission. The Council was very keen to see local businesses successfully tender for Council contracts, and its Procurement Strategy would always be designed to secure value for money for local residents and provide opportunities to local businesses to either tender directly, or partner with other organisations. It was noted that there was a very significant budget attached to the LAD programme, together with a very tight timescale, and that would mean that any organisations involved in tendering must have the capacity, speed and scale of delivery to complete the project. Hence that was why the Council was working with key partners and where possible using existing contract frameworks some of which would include local companies to maximise delivery whilst following the Council’s standing orders and financial regulations.