Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader of the Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/329

Contact: Sarah Gilbert, Head of Climate Action (Sarah.Gilbert@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CA11).

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:-

a)    Note the submission of a funding request to Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to support retrofit of low-income households in, or at risk of, fuel poverty.

b)    Delegate authority to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, to consider and conclude any agreements upon notification of a successful application for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG).

c)     Delegate authority to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources to issue an extension to the existing agreement for the Provision of Capital Retrofit Grant Distribution and Delivery Management Services (Home Upgrade Grant, Phase 2) for up to 24 months.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet received a report regarding a funding application had been submitted to the Warm Homes: Local Grant through Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. The bid supported the Council’s climate action and health agendas and followed on from a range of retrofit programmes delivered  to low-income households in fuel poverty. This was a three-year scheme currently which might be extended to up to five years, subject to approval at the spending review.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, presented the report. He emphasised the need for long-term funding to support retrofit in low-income households. He highlighted the success in securing grants and the importance of addressing fuel poverty.

Councillor Sudbury moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Note the submission of a funding request to Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to support retrofit of low-income households in, or at risk of, fuel poverty.

b)    Delegate authority to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, to consider and conclude any agreements upon notification of a successful application for the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG).

c)    Delegate authority to the Director of Economy & Place in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources to issue an extension to the existing agreement for the Provision of Capital Retrofit Grant Distribution and Delivery Management Services (Home Upgrade Grant, Phase 2) for up to 24 months