Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

This report updates Members regarding the progress of the Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Fund since it launched in November 2021. It provides an overview of how the funding scheme works, examples of projects already funded by the scheme, eligibility for funding, details of how the fund has been allocated and where, and how Members can help promote the take-up of the CAN Fund.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Nick Leslie by email nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

Liz Atherton (CSS Manager - Head of Climate Action Now, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the progress of the Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Fund since it launched in November 2021 and providing an overview of how the funding scheme worked, examples of projects already funded by the scheme, eligibility for funding, details of how the fund had been allocated and where, and how Members could help promote the take-up of the CAN Fund.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Given the large amount of funding remaining per ward, it was queried whether the remaining funding would be carried forward into the next municipal year.

·         In response it was stated that the funding was agreed a couple of years ago and at that time it was agreed that any money that was not spent in the municipal year would be absorbed into the Stockport CAN budget, however the team wanted to spend as much of the funding available as possible and encouraged applicants to apply for funding. It was reported that council officers and Councillors were currently in discussions in relation to whether the funding should continue in future years.

·         Whether there had been much uptake and interest in the higher funding larger schemes.

·         Noted the similarities between the Stockport CAN funding and Ward Flexibility Funding which allowed applicants to apply across multiple wards for higher amounts and queried whether this model was being used by the team.

·         Given that insulation and energy saving proposals could be funded by the scheme, it was queried whether the fund could be used to support residents struggling by the cost of living crisis.

·         In response Members were advised that there were some limitations in the funding in that an individual was unable to apply, and an application could not be for individual benefit or a for profit business, however if a group of residents living on one street wanted to apply for energy saving devices such as radiator reflectors or small saving interventions, they would be eligible.

·         Encouraged Councillors to be more proactive in their outreach work based on the information that had been provided.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.