Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 16, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Opportunities to procure a delivery partner for the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme using a Dynamic Purchasing System or Framework and to negotiate and award a contract to the preferred partner.   REASONS RESOLVED: 1.     The Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme will give eligible residents living in eligible properties access to home energy improvement grant funding 2.     Improving the energy efficiency of homes in West Northamptonshire will help reduce fuel poverty; being able to maintain a warm home has been shown to have associated health benefits 3.     The DPS and framework offer the opportunity to run, a limited compliant procurement that would save time and resources. This would ensure the delivery phase of the scheme can begin in September as programmed. 4.     The delivery of home energy grant funding forms part of the Governments Devolution white paper. This will be implemented beginning with a transition period that enables areas to build capacity and capability and demonstrate a strong track record of retrofit delivery. Once this capacity, capability, and track record is established, funding will transition to becoming part of the areas’ Integrated Settlements. This procurement will allow WNC to have a delivery partner in place, gain experience and be in a position to continue home energy improvements when funding becomes part of the integrated settlements.   ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:   1.     Decide not to deliver the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme to residents and decline the allocated grant funding 2.     Procure a delivery partner to identify suitable properties, take residents through the application process, recommend the most effective energy saving measures, manage installation and final quality checks. A member of the sustainability will act as contract manager for this arrangement. 3.     WNC directly recruits suitable and sufficient resources to directly deliver all aspects of the grant funding scheme. Managing the promotion, application process, recommending suitable measures, installation and contractor management would require a significant increase in resources and carry additional risks for the council.