Purpose

The Council has set out a
priority to achieve Net Zero by 2030. To support the commitment, an
application was made to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Fund to fund a number of energy-efficient replacements in four of
its estate buildings: The Gateway in Cecil Street, The Kent
Innovation Centre and Ramsgate, and Hartsdown Your Leisure
buildings.
 
The funding application was
successful, and the council has received a Grant Award Agreement,
which requires the council to match fund the project.
 
Continuing with this project
and utilising the allocated funds will ensure the council goes some
way in meeting its commitment of reaching Net Zero. Additionally,
replacing like-for-like mechanical equipment that is coming to the
end of its life will reduce the council's longer-term cost
associated with future replacements.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:
 
1. 
To accept the grant
award of £1, 410, 000 awarded to the Council from the
Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund;
 
2. 
To approve the key
decisions to award contracts for the design and the build of Air
Source Heat Pumps, Cavity Wall Insulation, and replacement windows
at The Gateway in Cecil Street, Ramsgate, and Hartsdown Leisure
Centres and Kent Innovation Centre, following a procurement
exercise;
 
3. 
To approve the
spending of a further £1,842,434 that can be spent by Thanet
District Council from the approved capital budget to match fund the
project over the next three financial years;
 
4. 
That the Director of
Place shall negotiate the final terms and sign the contract with
the successful bidder;
 
5. 
To approve a General
Fund capital budget virement of £108,000 in 2025/26, to
transfer funding to this project from the discontinued Hartsdown
Leisure Centre Solar Panels capital scheme, to allow works to begin
in this financial year.

Reasons for the decision

Agreeing the spend for this project will
positively impact on the council’s commitment to reaching Net
Zero by 2030. The project will reduce the carbon emissions of four
council estate sites while reducing the longer-term costs
associated with future replacements.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide to reject the Grant
Award issued by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund. This would
negatively impact on the council's commitment of reaching Net Zero
by 2030.
 
The decision to reject the funding would
additionally compromise the replacement of mechanical equipment in
the four buildings, which are coming to the end of their life. The
Council will incur increased costs to replace the mechanical
equipment in the near future.