Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of 14 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held 14 December 2020 were approved.

To note the successful allocation of Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator Project ("SHDF Project") funding from Business Energy & industrial Strategy (BEIS) and to authorise entry in to the associated financial and legal agreements necessary to enable its administration.

Members considered the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator Project report presented by Councillor Clark.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

1.    Councillor Mrs French asked if Clarion has the expertise and proper workforce to carry out this project in view of previous problems regarding maintenance of their properties over the years as this is a lot of money. She is pleased that the tenants will benefit, but what disruption will they have? Councillor Clark responded that she was hopeful that Clarion would be able to undertake this project and we will be looking at how they deal with it.

2.    Councillor Benney said he did not think that for the money Clarion would be able to undertake this project with the workforce they have, and they should be able to buy in that expertise. There will be short term disruption and upheaval, but tenants will gain the benefits of lower heating bills. It does not come across in the report about how much this project will improve the quality of life for tenants. This is an excellent project and he hopes it will be rolled out in a cost-effective manner.

3.    Councillor Boden said we should be proud that Fenland will be taking part in this project and it is a sign of confidence that we are able to do this. He added that it was an important point made by Councillor Clark in the report that we are de-risking this so far as legal liabilities are concerned, and this is vital throughout the project. It is an interesting demonstrator project and will be good to see what learning will come from this and how it is converted into something on scale at a national level.

4.    Councillor Seaton said we are the stewards of the money therefore he would like to know how it is being allotted to Clarion, i.e. upfront or as work is undertaken. What are the checks and balances from our point of view, even though we are risk free, that the money is being spent in the right way? Dan Horn responded that the monies would be linked to payment of invoices received as works are completed. There will be checks and balances on that work linked to the legal and financial risks that will be part of the overall agreement.

Cabinet AGREED to:

·         Note the successful bid for funding from the BEIS in the sum of £4,492,676.75 to assist in the delivery of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator Project;

·         Authorise Fenland District Council's entry into BEIS' Memorandum of Understanding at Appendix A of this Report; 

·         Authorise officers to enter into all required legal and financial documentation necessary to give effect to this decision to include a separate grant funding agreement with Clarion Housing to be approved in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Social Housing and Leisure, Housing and Transformation and Communication.

For information purposes.

Councillor Boden presented the Cabinet Forward Plan for information.