Decision Maker: Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 27, 2025

Purpose: To seek approval for a model, agreed with City Leap, on how the council will allocate capital and revenue to decarbonise the estates

Content: The Committee RESOLVED to:   1. Authorise the allocation and spend of up to £4,000,000 from the 25/26 Decarbonisation Fund and up to £1,000,000 from the 26/27 Decarbonisation Fund on the programme for decarbonising the council’s Corporate Estate as detailed in this report.   2. Authorise the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee and the Director of Finance, to submit a bid for up to £1,500,000 (with match funding of up to £3,100,000 from the Decarbonisation Fund as set out in the report) to the next phase of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (or equivalent– expected Autumn 2025), and, in the event that the bid is successful, to accept and spend any successful award.   3. Authorise the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee and the Director of Finance, to approve a further draw down against the BCC Decarbonisation Fund of up to £1,400,000 for energy efficiency measures for Phase 3 of the Corporate Estate Decarbonisation programme, acknowledging that if alternative funding routes become available these will be used instead.   4. Authorise the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with Director of Finance to submit applications to future grant funding opportunities related to decarbonisation measures which may arise during 2025, 2026 or 2027, provided that such grant funding opportunities either; (i) require no match funding or; (ii) match funding can be met through unallocated funds within the 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26 or 2026/27 Decarbonisation Fund and provided that if any such bid above the value of £500,000 is successful the acceptance and spend of such bid is brought back to the Environment and Sustainability Committee.   5. Note that the decarbonisation of Canford Crematorium will be prioritised as a recipient of surplus BCC Decarbonisation Fund, where other schemes outlined in the report release contingency or budget.   6. Note the proposed approach to adopt a proactive and data led approach to avoid new fossil fuel linked asset installations as outlined in this report.   7. Note the proposed development of a Pilot scheme with BCL to test the Energy-as-a-Service funding model, across 3 sites within the Corporate Estate, noting that any financial commitment to the delivery of decarbonisation projects via this model which require spend in excess of £500,000 will be subject to further scrutiny and approval by the committee.   8. Authorise the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, and the Director of Finance to procure, agree and enter into any contracts required in connection with the matters outlined in the above recommendations.