Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: July 29, 2025

Purpose: To present the final version of the Stakehill Local Industrial Decarbonisation report and to set out the next stages of implementation including the Strategic Outline Business case

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought approval of the final Stakehill Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP).   The Climate Change and Sustainability Project Manager was in attendance to present the information and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   Resolved: 1.    That the final Stakehill Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) and the proposed next stage of the project to develop a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) be approved; 2.    That it be noted that the Director of Economy and Place has approved acceptance of the £75,000 GMCA Growth Locations Revenue Funding grant under delegated authority, with the decision notice published on the 3 July 2025. Early approval was necessary to procure consultants for the SOBC work, which must be finished by December 2025; 3.    That £25k match funding for the SOBC from the Climate Change Fund be approved; 4.    That the Director of Economy and Place be granted delegated authority to enter into the grant agreement subject to due diligence having been undertaken.   Reason for decision: Rochdale’s Climate Change Strategy aligned the target for achieving net zero with targets set out in the Greater Manchester Environment Plan to bring CO2 emissions to net zero by 2038. Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) territorial emissions data for 2022 showed that industrial emissions represent around 13% of the borough’s total carbon emissions. Industrial estates had a critical role to play in support of the drive to net zero. As major centres driving production and consumption a large proportion of carbon emissions come from infrastructure or operations that take place on industrial estates. The Stakehill LIDP provides a template and potential pathway for decarbonisation of industrial estates and locations across the borough.   Alternatives considered and rejected: Without additional funding, the recommendations set out in the Stakehill Industrial Estate LIDP could not be implemented. The next stage of the work would be to develop an SOBC to support future investment decisions for decarbonising Stakehill.   A decision about future funding settlements, including those relating to supporting UK industry to decarbonise, were subject to the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which was announced on 11 June.   Following the Spending Review announcement, it had been decided that there would be no further extension of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF)  and no successor fund to provide either capital grant funding, or funding to decarbonise local clusters, to UK industry. The Industrial Strategy had set out plans to support British industry to thrive on the global stage, and seizing the opportunity presented by the clean energy transition is at the heart of this plan.   Further grant funding had been sought from a number of sources including the North West Net Zero Hub (NWNZH) to support the development of the SOBC. However, GMCA had approved the grant funding for the SOBC from the Growth Locations Revenue Funding 2025/26. The work was required to be completed in the current financial year.