Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 4, 2025

Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval to sign off a Crawley Towns Fund programme Grant Funding Agreement with the Manor Royal BID so that the BID can deliver the Green Business Infrastructure programme (badged the “Re-Energise Manor Royal Scheme” by the BID). This will establish a Local Energy Community (LEC) to install and then own solar photovoltaic (PV) assets on commercial premises in Manor Royal in order to provide renewable energy services to Manor Royal businesses. The intention is for the LEC to then raise further private finances to support on-going investment across Manor Royal of on-site renewable energy generating assets. This in turn will contribute to the ongoing decarbonisation of the Borough.

Content: RESOLVED That the Cabinet a)           approves that the proposed grant funding would be classed a subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 b)           approves the signing of the grant funding agreement for the Green Business Infrastructure – Re-energise Manor Royal project. c)           delegates the negotiation, approval and completion of all relevant documentation including legal paperwork necessary to the Head of Economy and Planning, the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Governance, People and Performance, in consultation with relevant Cabinet Member. (Generic Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this recommendation.   Reasons for the Recommendations Cabinet approval is required to sign off the grant funding agreement for the Green Business Infrastructure - Re-energise Manor Royal (REMR) project with the Manor Royal Business Improvement District (MR BID).    For the purposes of full transparency, it is recommended that Cabinet recognise that this grant funding constitutes a subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.  Details of the REMR project and the subsidy have been published on the government’s subsidy control web site.  An interested party can submit a request from the time that a subsidy has been given, up until one month after the information about the subsidy has been uploaded to the subsidy database. Subject to there being no challenge from a third party, Cabinet approval of these recommendations will enable the MR BID to commence delivery of the REMR project. The Re-energise Manor Royal project will kick start the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy panel infrastructure across existing commercial premises in the Manor Royal Business District. This is in line with the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency Declaration of December 2024 to achieve Borough wide Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045.