The report seeks approval for the Council to accept Sustainable Warmth grant funding of up to £2,442,000 via the signing of a Grant agreement with the Midlands Energy Hub.

Sustainable Warmth is a combination of two grant funding streams- Local Authority Delivery phase 3 (LAD 3) and Home Upgrades Grant phase 1 (HUG 1)

This funding will be used to enable an estimated 150 fuel poor households across Herefordshire to be supported with home energy efficiency and renewable heating measures.

.

That:

a)    The Council signs the Grant letter with the Midlands Energy Hub (MEH) for up to £2,442,000 of Sustainable Warmth grant funding and delivers the project as set out in this report across Herefordshire;

b)   the scheme criteria set out in paragraphs 13 to 16 of this reportbe approved;

c)    The Service Director Highways, Environment and Waste is authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the scheme.

1.            Not to accept the grant funding- this is not recommended as this would make it difficult for Herefordshire fuel poor households to receive support at the levels stated within the bid, as other funding streams alone are likely to result in significant funding shortfalls for fuel poor households. It would also result in a risk of not achieving the council’s strategic objectives within the County Plan 2020 – 2024 and Health & Wellbeing Strategy and will not make progress towards the Council’s 2030 net zero carbon ambition for the county.

2.            Part accept the grant funding- This is not recommended at this time as the allocated funding is similar to estimates made as to what would be a more measured and realistic delivery profile. This could be considered further into the project if targets and outcomes were not being achieved