Here is a summary of the upcoming Portfolio Holder Decision Meeting. Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, is scheduled to discuss and make decisions regarding the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Warmer Homes scheme. The meeting will also cover any petitions or public questions that have been submitted.

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) / Warmer Homes (WH: SHF) Wave 3

Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, is scheduled to consider a report regarding Harrow's participation in Wave 3 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), also known as the Warmer Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF).

The report asks Councillor Osborn to approve Harrow entering into a partnership agreement with London Councils to accept £1,990,914.00 in grant funding. This funding would enable energy-efficiency improvements to approximately 144 homes within the council's housing stock.

The report also requests that Councillor Osborn approve the direct appointment of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver the Warmer Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme.

The Warmer Homes: Social Housing Fund is described in the report as:

a government-backed programme administered by London Councils on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). It aims to improve energy efficiency in social housing, helping residents enjoy warmer, healthier homes, lower energy bills, and reduced carbon emissions.

The report states that Harrow successfully secured Wave 3 funding of £2m under the London Councils' Strategic Partnership in Quarter 1 of 2025.

The key objectives of Wave 3 are listed as:

• Reducing fuel poverty and energy costs for residents.
• Improving the thermal performance of social housing stock.
• Decreasing carbon emissions in line with local and national net zero targets.

The report notes that projects will primarily target insulation measures and low-carbon heating technologies, such as solar PV¹ and mechanical ventilation upgrades. Harrow's priority under Wave 3 is to complete remaining retrofit works to its BISF² and ORLIT³ (steel-framed) housing stock, using external wall insulation.

The report considers two options:

• Do Nothing: The report warns that if the council does not proceed with Wave 3, the allocated grant funding may be withdrawn or reallocated, resulting in a loss of investment and a delay in improving energy efficiency across Harrow's housing stock.
• Approve the Recommendation: Approval would enable the council to proceed with the Wave 3 retrofit programme, secure the first grant drawdown by January 2026, and ensure Harrow remains a core partner within the London Councils Strategic Partnership.

The report notes that Harrow secured the highest level of funding relative to stock size in London under the SHDF Wave 2.1 programme, totalling £2.147 million, and that this investment will deliver energy-efficiency improvements to 200 homes by March 2026.

The report states that recent changes in management structure and the introduction of enhanced contract management checks and assurance procedures have strengthened oversight across all decarbonisation programmes.

The report mentions that Bellrock will continue to provide programme management and administrative oversight, and that Harrow has commenced engagement with RISE (Retrofit Information, Support & Expertise), a national centre of excellence supporting housing providers and supply chains across England.

The report also considers risk management implications, procurement implications, legal implications, financial implications and equalities implications.

Petitions and Public Questions

The agenda indicates that the meeting will receive any petitions submitted by members of the public or councillors. It will also note any public questions received, with a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of these questions.