An Officer Key Decision meeting of Newham Council was held on Thursday 21 August 2025, where a decision was approved to enter into a grant funding agreement for retrofit works at James Riley Point. This decision relates to the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WHSF) Wave 3 grant.

Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WHSF) Wave 3 Grant for Retrofit Works at James Riley Point

The council has approved entering into a grant funding agreement for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) for retrofit works at James Riley Point, located on Carpenters Road, E15 2HZ. This decision was made by Conrad Hall, Corporate Director of Resources, following delegation from the Cabinet.

The project will receive a grant of £2.4 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) through the WHSF Wave 3. These funds will support decarbonisation and retrofit works at James Riley Point, a high-rise block within the Carpenters Estate. The works aim to improve the building's energy performance in line with PAS2035 standards and contribute to the council's net zero ambitions.

Match funding of £13.3 million is required from the council, which will be met from the existing £98.3 million budget approved by Cabinet in February 2025 for the refurbishment of James Riley Point. The retrofit works will include:

• External Wall Insulation (EWI): To significantly reduce heat loss and improve thermal efficiency.
• New Windows and Doors: High-performance, thermally efficient replacements to prevent draughts and improve airtightness.
• Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems: To ensure healthy indoor air while minimising heat loss.
• Low-carbon heating solutions.
• Smart heating controls: For energy monitoring and user-friendly control.
• Retrofit Assessment and Coordination: Including roles for Retrofit Designer, Coordinator, and Evaluator to oversee design, implementation, and post-occupancy evaluation in accordance with TrustMark and PAS2035 regulations.

This project aligns with Priority 5 Homes for our Residents under the council's Corporate Plan 2022-2026, Building a Fairer Newham. It is also a key part of the wider Carpenters Estate masterplan, which aims to deliver 136 new affordable homes and a new sports and community centre. The funding is crucial for unlocking Phase 3 of the masterplan, which involves the development of over 400 new homes and mixed-use space.

The decision to accept the grant funding and enter into the agreement was made by Conrad Hall, Corporate Director of Resources, on 21 August 2025. Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, and Environment, was consulted on the decision.

The report notes that if the council cannot meet the grant agreement's requirements, there is a risk that the grant may not be received or may have to be repaid. Populo, managing the refurbishment on behalf of the council, recommended proceeding with the agreement, stating that the risk of not signing is significantly greater than proceeding.

The decision is subject to the standard call-in period, meaning it cannot be implemented until the sixth working day following the date of publication.

The broader regeneration of the Carpenters Estate was discussed in a Cabinet meeting in February 2025, where a report detailed the programme update, including an increase in projected borrowing due to construction inflation and new building safety requirements. This report also highlighted an increase in the proposed number of new homes. The Cabinet approved the continuation of the regeneration scheme based on an updated strategy and viability assessment, finalising a Section 106 Agreement, and approving an updated Vacant Possession Strategy. Approvals were also sought for the expansion of the Lund Quarter phase and additional funds for the James Riley Point development due to forecast cost increases. The Cabinet also approved the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance, to approve the SHDF application for James Riley Point and enter into any associated grant funding agreements.