Purpose

To seek approval for a Retrofit Advice/Cosy
Hub Advice Service

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 
1.1        
 That Cabinet approved Option 1, which
outlined a comprehensive engagement and home energy/ retrofit
advice programme, Retrofit and Energy Advice for
Communities and Households (REACH), for the benefit of residents
across the whole District.

 
1.2         That
Cabinet approved the mixture of capital and revenue budget of
£339,988 for this programme
be funded
from the Mid Suffolk Implementation reserve for the period 2025/26
to 2027/28.

 
1.3         That
Cabinet approved that the programme
be closely
aligned with the Cosy Homes initiative and for it to be
coordinated with work across housing, customer operations, and
community teams so that a  unified and efficient approach was
ensured.
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
With energy bills still high by recent
historical standards, homes contributing significantly to
greenhouse gas emissions and having adequate heating and power
critical for our wellbeing, household energy efficiency and
decarbonisation
remained a national
and local priority. Households could face confusing options,
complex criteria, disparate services, and unclear pathways to
gaining support for reducing energy bills and improving the energy
efficiency of their properties.
 
This proposal responded to the specific
challenges of the District such as rural
isolation, off-gas homes, and heritage properties. It
mobilised
officers and community
champions to extend the Council’s reach, build awareness, and
accelerate uptake of energy-saving actions and the drawdown of
available funding for improving homes.
 
The Council was best placed to lead
a programme
designed to
utilise and integrate local connections,
services and capacity to greater effect through coordination and
consolidation. The dedicated resources of this programme would help simplify choices and guide
residents through their energy journey,
and enabled Mid Suffolk’s ambitions to support the
improvement of energy efficiency of homes in the district and
supported landlords and homeowners in moving towards zero-carbon
living.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
Do nothing and rely on existing local and
national provision. This option was not recommended.
 
Any Declarations of Interests
Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None