Agenda item

"Recognising that the Council:

a.     Has declared a climate emergency;

b.     Has significant housing stock in need of improvements to their energy performance and;

c.     Has estates in Skelmersdale New Town requiring remodelling and regeneration

Council instructs council officers to develop costed options to also include estimates for reduction in carbon emissions for formal consideration at budget setting in February 2022 for:

a)      a retrofitting programme of energy efficiency on council housing stock and;

b)      an identified location for a third Revival project to follow the successes at Firbeck and Beechtrees"

The following Motion was moved and seconded:

"Recognising that the Council:

a.     Has declared a climate emergency;

b.     Has significant housing stock in need of improvements to their energy performance and;

c.     Has estates in Skelmersdale New Town requiring remodelling and regeneration

Council instructs council officers to develop costed options to also include estimates for reduction in carbon emissions for formal consideration at budget setting in February 2022 for:

a)      a retrofitting programme of energy efficiency on council housing stock and;

b)      an identified location for a third Revival project to follow the successes at Firbeck and Beechtrees"

An Amendment to the Motion (circulated prior to the meeting) was moved and seconded, with the addition of:

"That the membership of the Estates Regeneration Cabinet Working Group be extended to include 1 Our West Lancashire member."

The mover and seconder of the Motion accepted the Amendment as an Altered Motion, with the agreement of the meeting.

A vote was taken on the Altered Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   A.      Recognising that the Council:

·         Has declared a climate emergency;

·         Has significant housing stock in need of improvements to their energy performance and;

·         Has estates in Skelmersdale New Town requiring remodelling and regeneration

this Council notes that:

a)    significant work has been done to our council homes such as

·    Loft and cavity wall insulation programmes

·    Annual A-rated gas boiler replacement programme

·    Window and external door replacement programmes – 100% stock has double glazing

·    External wall insulation projects-over £2.5m in the last 10 years

b)    there has also been investment in various renewable energy installations to benefit our tenants

c)    there has also been investment £1/2m in ground source heat pumps and nearly £2m in solar panels to benefit over 500 homes and that the extensive work already completed has put us in a strong position to meet our carbon targets

However, we recognise more needs to be done.  The Sector is stating that the costs could be in the region of around £20-£30k per home to retrofit which would mean the Council would need around £120-£180million to fund such a scheme.  We are working towards collating a true picture of our energy data across the stock, which will be required to help us to make an informed decision on how to meet our carbon neutral agenda.  Once the Survey results are obtained the matter will be brought back before Members to enable an informed decision on future investments.

B.      That the Council also recognises the work undertaken on the mini estate revival projects, such as in those in Tanhouse, and looks forward to this being rolled out further. Officers are still planning the next major estate revival and plan on bringing this forward next year, but this would still leave the bulk of our council estates in need of ‘revival’, with previous estimates of around £600-£800 million, we need government support.

C.      That the Council:

a)    instructs council officers to seek further government funding to support a retrofitting programme of energy efficiency on council housing stock, using the Local Government Association, MPs and any other organisations that can help.

b)    continues to undertake option appraisals for a third Revival project and the Estate Regeneration Cabinet Working Group be convened before the year end to consider this matter.

D.      That the membership of the Estate Regeneration Cabinet Working Group be extended to include an Our West Lancashire Member.