Agenda item

Report from the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1. Notes the key achievements and progress made as detailed in Appendix 1 and section 2 of this report.

2. Approves the 2026/27 Climate Change Action Plan proposed in Appendix 2.

3. Delegates the specification, procurement, contract award and subsequent delivery of (i) the Corporate Property Decarbonisation Programme, Appendix 3a, (ii) the EV Infrastructure Programme, Appendix 3b and (iii) works referenced under the Energy section of the Climate Change Action Plan 2026-2027, Appendix 2, as well as any changes to these programmes and works, to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

4. Delegates allocation of the Council’s Capital Decarbonisation Budget and EV Infrastructure Capital Budget and the acceptance of any available funding streams such as from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Great British Energy or other Government schemes for delivery as per Appendices 3a and 3b to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

5. Approves an amendment to the £1m renewable energy pilot project approved by Cabinet on 15 February 2021, to deliver instead an invest-to-save renewable energy scheme comprising rooftop or car park canopy solar PV, as detailed in Appendix 4 and section 2.20 below; and also delegates authority for site selection, procurement and delivery of the amended scheme to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

Consideration was given to the report which outlined the progress of the 2025/26 Climate Emergency Action Plan to the end of December 2025 and proposed an action plan for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. Programmes for corporate property decarbonisation and electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) were presented at Appendix 3a and 3b, respectively. Climate change data and performance measures were also reported (Appendix 5) for the 2024/25 carbon accounting period. A high-level summary of progress to date on Nature Recovery in Rotherham was provided, recognising the links between the Nature Crisis and Climate Emergency.

The table at paragraph 2.4 outlined the Council’s performance measures in relation to its Net Zero by 2030 targets. Paragraphs 2.5 to 2.10 provided more detail on the emissions targets and performance.

The table at paragraph 2.13 presented the 2024/25 performance measures relating to the Net Zero by 2040 target. The Council continued to measure several Key Performance Indicators in relation to the Borough’s performance. In general, emissions were declining, however the portion of fossil fuels in the Borough’s energy mix remained high. UK-wide action to develop a net zero National Grid by 2030 would only affect approximately 20% of the Borough’s energy emissions, which meant that local action to transition to low carbon heating types, such as air source heat pumps or heat networks was key to reaching net zero. It was expected that the above performance measures could evolve as work to develop the Council’s Sustainable Rotherham Strategy continued. Work with partners to co-create this Strategy had already commenced with workshops taking place throughout October and November 2025. Actions proposed in the 2026/27 action plan associated with this report would also support the development of these measures. Appendix 5 provided more detail on the Council’s emissions.

Paragraphs 2.17 to 2.24 detailed the work being done in relation to energy. In January 2025, the Council was successfully awarded funds as part of the final iteration of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS 4) to deliver decarbonisation works to 3 Council buildings - 115 Middle Lane South, Springwell Gardens Community Centre and Swinton Customer Service Centre and Library. The contract for these works had now been awarded, with final designs approved and works scheduled to commence in late March or early April.  Decarbonisation works at these sites and at Peacock Lodge Children’s Home all had expected completion dates in June 2026. It was expected that this project would reduce emissions by 35.35tCO2e per annum.

The report also provided updates in relation to transport; housing; waste; built and natural environment; biodiversity; influence and engagement (Children’s Capital of Culture); and adaptation.

The proposed action plan for 2026/27 was attached at Appendix 2. A critical piece of work would be the commissioning and delivery of the Local Area Energy Plan. This work would span the Rotherham Borough, provide proposed pipeline projects for the delivery of the Net Zero by 2040 target and directly feed into the Council’s Sustainable Rotherham Strategy. It would also provide an opportunity for the development of investment proposals for renewables as part of the Council’s wider estate.

A proposal for the delivery of actions to decarbonise the Council’s estate over the next 5 year period was also presented as detailed in paragraphs 2.70 to 2.75. 

The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board who advised that the recommendations be supported. Questions related to how realistic the 2030 net zero target was and the activity described within the report.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Notes the key achievements and progress made as detailed in Appendix 1 and section 2 of this report.

2.    Approves the 2026/27 Climate Change Action Plan proposed in Appendix 2.

3.    Delegates the specification, procurement, contract award and subsequent delivery of (i) the Corporate Property Decarbonisation Programme, Appendix 3a, (ii) the EV Infrastructure Programme, Appendix 3b and (iii) works referenced under the Energy section of the Climate Change Action Plan 2026 2027, Appendix 2, as well as any changes to these programmes and works, to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

4.    Delegates allocation of the Council’s Capital Decarbonisation Budget and EV Infrastructure Capital Budget and the acceptance of any available funding streams such as from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Great British Energy or other Government schemes for delivery as per Appendices 3a and 3b to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.

5.    Approves an amendment to the £1m renewable energy pilot project approved by Cabinet on 15th February, 2021, to deliver instead an invest-to-save renewable energy scheme comprising rooftop or car park canopy solar PV, as detailed in Appendix 4 and section 2.20 below; and also delegates authority for site selection, procurement and delivery of the amended scheme to the Service Director of Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy.