Decision details

To seek Portfolio Holder approval to receive additional £500,000 funding from Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to further the Councils decarbonisation ambitions. Due to confirmation of acceptance being required before 20^th April 2026, this requires Portfolio Holder approval to match fund this amount for 2026-27 to enable the co-funding letter to be returned before the deadline.

That the Portfolio Holder aqpproves a variation to the Capital Programme for 2026-27 to increase the budget for WH:SHF by £1million which includes a £500,000 grantfrom DESNZ.

The co-funding document will then be signed and returned before the deadline of 20^th April 2026.

This additional funding enables the Council to accelerate our plans to decarbonise the Councils housing, replace poor performing and costly heating systems, reducing utility costs for tenants whilst also contributing to the  decarbonisation agenda.

This aligns with two ambitions in our Community Plan 2023-27: Ambition 2: Increase the supply of housing, in particular decent homes that residents can afford to buy and rent, as well as improving housing standards and,

Ambition 7: Be a top performing, modern and accessible Council that get its everyday services right for the residents and businesses that it services.

Not to accept the additional funding and maintain the existing programme and budget.