Decision Maker: Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 11, 2025

Purpose: PPRB task group on Domestic Retrofit final report and recommendations for consideration by the committee.

Content: RESOLVED that the committee: 1.  NOTE the report, 2.  AGREE the 16 recommendations listed in paragraph 5 * 3.  NOTE how the recommendations will be taken forward as part of an action plan supporting the Climate and Nature Strategy.   *The 16 recommendations are, Make it easier for residents to find out information on retrofit • Recommendation One: Create a Retrofit Hub on the Council’s website that is one source of information on retrofit. This will ensure residents can find all the information they need on retrofit in one place. • Recommendation Two: Better advertise free pre-application planning advice related to promoting sustainable development. • Recommendation Three: Produce a Richmond-specific retrofit Supplementary Planning Document to be used by residents, planning applicants and Council officers to guide retrofit solutions. • Recommendation Four: Produce a ‘decision tree’ for people wanting to know how to retrofit their property. This could form part of a wider retrofit guide. Support residents to see the impact of retrofitting their home and also the impact of not retrofitting (Behaviour change) • Recommendation Five: Deliver a comprehensive communications campaign to change behaviours and increase take up of retrofit Ensure there is sufficient capacity, knowledge and intent to support the Council’s ambitions on retrofit • Recommendation Six: Ensure information on latest innovations in technology relevant to retrofitting should be made available to residents. • Recommendations Seven: Ensure regular monitoring and benchmarking of best practice amongst other Local Authorities is undertaken to identify potential further actions • Recommendation Eight: Ensure there is sufficient capacity and expertise within the organisation on retrofit • Recommendation Nine: Investigate the development of domestic retrofit targets/intent for Richmond borough. • Recommendation Ten: Include the topic of domestic retrofit in the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy currently being developed Ensure where possible that planning policies and processes support residents to retrofit their properties • Recommendation Eleven: Update planning application validation checklist to remove the need for an acoustic report where not needed • Recommendation Twelve: Subject to resources commence work on a number of sustainability focused SPD’s including Biodiversity SPD, Trees SPD, Sustainable Construction Checklist and planning obligations SPD with retrofit ambitions embedded. Ensure residents are aware of the financial support available to retrofit their properties • Recommendation Thirteen: Investigate all available financial levers to make retrofitting more affordable • Recommendation Fourteen: Secure external financing for climate action strategies. • Recommendation Fifteen: Investigate where the council has financial influence to support domestic retrofit Support the development of green skills capacity locally. • Recommendation Sixteen: Incentivise the training of young people in decarbonising technologies and training apprentices in retrofit.