Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

This report has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 2 March 2015.

In January 2014 a report was considered by the Scrutiny Committee highlighting “Outcomes of Energy Efficiency Projects undertaken by Stockport Homes”.  An update of that report was requested in early 2015 while Stockport Homes officers were presenting the Delivery Plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the outcomes of energy efficiency projects which had been undertaken by Stockport Homes since 2008, with particular reference to the installation of solar photovoltaic panels; biomass district heating; replacement windows and doors; and cavity wall, loft insulation and thermal cladding.

The Executive Councillor for Thriving Economy (Councillor Patrick McAuley) and the Chief Executive of Stockport Homes (Helen McHale) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Approval had recently been given by the Executive to a programme of works to install new solar photovoltaic panels on Stockport Homes’ properties on a ‘rent-a-roof’ model.  However, the number of properties which would benefit from this initiative was limited by the ability of contractors to undertake any such installations prior to proposed changes to the current rate of the Feed-in Tariff which could commence from January 2015.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the policy changes being instituted by the government with regard to the Feed-in Tariff and wind energy.

·         Additional information was requested on Stockport Homes’ proposals for the replacement of storage heaters in sheltered accommodation.

·         It was reported that the proposals drawn up by the Council and Stockport Homes to develop a single biomass plantation and processing facility in the Borough needed to be revisited following difficulties in securing the operational site adjacent to the existing Solutions SK depot. 

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Executive Councillor for Thriving Economy be recommended to write to the Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change outlining the Council’s recent success in implementing energy efficiency measures within the Borough and expressing the Council’s regret that the Government has decided to cease funding the Green Deal Finance Company.