Purpose

To consider approving the plans for energy
improvements to Council homes in several estates, utilising the
Social Housing Decarbonisation Grant Fund (SHDF) wave 2.1 as part
funding.

Content

1.         That the
public and press be excluded from the meeting by virtue of
Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the Financial or Business
Affairs of the Authority) of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local
Government Act 1972, in order that the meeting may consider exempt
Annex C to the report.

2.         That
the change of asset management approach to full fabric first,
where supported by appropriate
grants, such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), be noted.

3.        
That in respect of the
indicative programme of works and
locations set out at Annex B to the report, the following be
noted:

(a)        the
continuation of wave 1 work in Netherfield, and the commencement of wave 2.1 work,
in Tinkers Bridge, Bradville, The Lakes and around 800
‘wider’ properties, which require lower scale energy
performance improvements; and

(b)       the prioritisation of lower energy / performing /
condition Council homes and pre-work retrofit assessment to comply
with grant and PAS 2035 conditions, form the basis for identifying
these locations.

4.        
That the use of Lot 7 of the Prosper
Framework (Reference DN 608786) for delivery of ancillary
works, (not part of the SHDF programme but measures which
improve energy performance such as new roofs, windows and doors),
be approved until the end of financial year 2025/2026, with the
ability to extend this contract for similar activities, if it
proves value for money, to the end of 2028/29.

5.         That the
Prosper Framework (Reference DN 608786) be utilised to award the contract for the SHDF works
previously agreed by Delegated Decision on 19 September 2023
(decision 1.8).

6.         That
authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and Property,
in consultation with Cabinet member for Housing and the Assistant
Director of Finance, to progress and finalise the following:

(a)        The continued
use of the Prosper Framework as per previous delegated decisions
for the SHDF works and further for the use of the framework for
ancillary works as detailed at paragraph 1.4 above.

(b)       The
approach
for leaseholders (up to 44), as set out in exempt Annex C to the
report, including:

(i)         use of
the grant for blocks of homes or maisonettes which have a blend of MKCC tenants and
the leaseholders in;

(ii)        a case-by-case
approach to evaluate the overall benefit to the Council’s
housing stock and tenants; and

(iii)       the potential for a
dispensation from consultation to be applied for at a First Tier
Tribunal, or any other steps deemed value for money.

(c)        Changes to the
overall scale (total number of properties treated) and scope
(measure mixes delivered to properties) of the project,
including:

(i)         the
return of grant funding pending the outcome of retrofit assessments
and grant funding conditions;

(ii)       
timescales and scope(in response to
budget challenges, or other issues impacting investment profile for
the HRA); and

(iii)       to agree the removal
of any programmed works with the Department for Energy Security and
Net Zero (DESNZ) and their Project Management team
through the DESNZ SHDF change control
mechanisms.

(d)       The scope and
location of the 800 or so ‘wider’ estate properties
indicated within the grant / programme
which require smaller scale interventions to achieve the grant
required energy performance certificate (EPC) grade C from a grade
D.

7.         That the
procurement and appointment of a JCT Contract Administrator, a
Programme Manager, a Clerk of Works and
additional tenant engagement resources as needed for the SHDF
programme, including for the ancillary
works programme within the HRA business plan budget, be
noted.