The Cambridge City Council Cabinet met to discuss expanding the smoke control area and procuring contractors for energy efficiency work on council homes. The cabinet approved a plan to expand the smoke control area to cover the entire city, but voted to exclude permanent residential moored vessels from the expansion at this time. They also approved tendering and awarding contracts to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to council homes.

Smoke Control Area Expansion

The Cabinet approved revoking the existing Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) and implementing a single, city-wide SCA, excluding permanent residential moored vessels. This decision aims to reduce PM2.5 emissions, improving air quality and public health.

The primary legislation governing emissions from solid fuel burning is the Clean Air Act 1993. Within an SCA, smoke emissions are prohibited unless smokeless fuel is used, or the appliance is approved by DEFRA¹.

The decision follows a public consultation where 55% of respondents supported the expansion, citing health and environmental benefits. Those who opposed it, representing 40% of respondents, raised concerns about costs for low-income households and scepticism about air pollution levels.

The council commissioned Air Quality Consultants Ltd to produce the Smoke Control Area Impact Study, which found that expanding the SCA citywide could reduce PM2.5 emissions by 69%.

The report noted that permanently moored vessels account for a disproportionately high number of smoke-related complaints. However, it also recognised that including them in the expanded SCA could disproportionately affect this group, which includes a higher proportion of individuals with protected characteristics including low income, disability, and older age.

The report recommended excluding permanently moored vessels from the expansion at this time, and the Cabinet agreed with this recommendation. The Council will continue to engage with the boating community to explore viable alternatives and seek funding to support a transition to more sustainable heating solutions.

The council will now begin the process to revoke existing SCAs and declare a new city-wide SCA, which is expected to take around six months.

Energy Efficiency Contract Procurement

The Cabinet approved the tendering and awarding of contracts to deliver energy efficiency and associated maintenance works to council homes. This decision supports the council's commitment to improving the energy efficiency of its existing housing stock, as outlined in the Climate Change Strategy 2021–2026.

The council aims to upgrade all council homes currently rated EPC² 'D' or below to a minimum of EPC 'C'. A capital budget allocation of £3.8 million per annum has been made within the Housing Capital Plan through to 2035 to support this.

Under the current External Wall Insulation (EWI) contract, approximately 225 council homes have been retrofitted from EPC 'D' and below to EPC 'C'. The council has been awarded £3.8 million from the Wave 3 round of the Government's Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund to upgrade a further 370 council homes between 2025/26 and 2027/28.

The planned energy efficiency measures include:

• External and internal insulation works
• Cavity wall insulation
• Installation of renewable energy installations and low carbon heating systems
• Replacement doors and windows
• Installation of new or replacement mechanical ventilation

The estimated value of the future contract is around £5.0m per annum, making a total estimated contract value of £15m between 2026 and 2029, or up to £25m if the full two-year extension period is used.

Verbal Update on Public Health Contract

The Cabinet received a verbal update on the bid submission process and next stages for the Public Health Contract for Tier 1 & 2 Services, which includes healthy eating and physical activity, and weight management.