Issue - meetings

Appendix A: Six Month Progress Update to Scrutiny Recommendations (Reported July 2013) (for information)

Appendix B: District Heating Investment Plan – Report presented to the Cabinet Member for Safe Attractive Neighbourhoods (for information)

Tom Bell, Strategic Housing and Investment Service, gave a 6 monthly progress update on the Scrutiny recommendations and presented the report that had been considered by the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods at her meeting held on 16^th June, 2014 (Minute No. 16 refers).

The submitted report contained the investment requirements and funding needed to implement an improvement plan over the next eight years. This robust approach to assessing the condition of each of the 37 district heating schemes had resulted in the following recommendations:-

-          10 schemes should be retained and benefit from further investment;

-          6 schemes should be retained, but reduced in size to achieve efficiencies;

-          20 schemes (all within the Fitzwilliam estate at Swinton) should be replaced with an alternative solution;

-          the scheme at Beeversleigh should be replaced with an alternative district heating;

-          the investment in new fuel stores for three Bio Mass systems, subject to Renewable Heat Incentive grant funding being obtained.

Discussion ensued on the report with a number of issues clarified regarding:-

·           Number of owner/occupiers on the Fitzwilliam estate

·           Facility for tenants to use mobile technology to make payments

·           Security measures built into the equipment to help alleviate incidents of tampering

·           Fuel charges

Resolved: (1)  That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted in 12 months.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services, stating that this Council operates 37 District Heating Schemes throughout the Borough, serving 1,311 dwellings. In response to a Scrutiny Review improvement plan, for the management and delivery of district heating, a full condition survey has recently been undertaken to the infrastructure, plant and dwelling-side heating supply for each scheme. The Scrutiny Review report had previously been considered by the Cabinet (Minute No. C105 of the Cabinet meeting held on 5th December, 2012, refers).

The submitted report contained the investment requirements and funding needed to implement an improvement plan over the next eight years. This robust approach to assessing the condition of each of the 37 district heating schemes had resulted in the following recommendations:-

: 10 schemes should be retained and benefit from further investment;

: 6 schemes should be retained, but reduced in size to achieve efficiencies;

: 20 schemes (all within the Fitzwilliam estate at Swinton) should be replaced with an alternative solution;

: the scheme at Beeversleigh should be replaced with an alternative district heating;

: the investment in new fuel stores for three Bio Mass systems, subject to Renewable Heat Incentive grant funding being obtained.

Members were informed that a budget of £2 millions has been allocated during the 2014/2015 financial year, for investment in District Heating. One of the first improvements will be made at the Fitzwilliam Estate, Swinton. A further proposal is to improve the efficiency of schemes by reducing their overall size and to begin a programme of replacing dwelling-side distribution pipes and radiators as they are all beyond their useful life. 

Resolved: (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the principles of the District Heating investment plan, to take place over the next eight years, as detailed in the report now submitted, be supported.

(3) That the proposed investment in the Fitzwilliam Estate Swinton and efficiency improvements to identified schemes in 2014/15, as detailed in the report now submitted, be supported.

(4) That a further report identifying the green energy solution for new District Heating at Beeversleigh be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial/business affairs of any person (including the Council)