Decarbonising and Insulating Homes and Buildings

Action 2.1 Explore grants schemes for residents, landlords and housing associations, for retrofitting insulation, and low carbon heating systems.

Councillor Lottie Parfitt-Reid

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

And

Councillor Claudine Russell

Communities, Leisure and Arts Policy Advisory Committee

John Littlemore

Philip Jennings

The Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 grant funding agreement has been signed by all relevant parties. The grant is being advertised (targeted advertising first before being opened to wider advertising to relevant wards in the early 2024.

Meetings have progressed with Eon to partner to promote and administer ECO Flex (Energy Companies Obligation) to increase ECO’s eligibility criteria.  The grant provides low carbon heating and insulation measures.

There was a delay in the HUG2 grant funding agreement being signed by partners, therefore the roll-out of the scheme has been delayed.  This will result in a delay of getting works completed at eligible properties in Spring 2024.

Further work is required to partner with Eon and make the Council’s ECO Flex statement of intent ready for implementation. This should be ready for advertising to households in early 2024.

Number of residents with EPC rating improvements of A-C from D-G

2023

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Action 2.2 Enforce Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.

Councillor Lottie Parfitt-Reid

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

John Littlemore

Philip Jennings

Enforcement of the regulations have progressed well with over 650 rented properties improved from EPC F and G to A-E.

Landlords may apply for exemptions for their properties. (33 properties have been exempted).  A small number are now in the process of either being improved or the landlord being fined.

Further Energy Performance Certificates are entered on the database monthly, and these must be checked further. 

The Landlord forum will also be used to disseminate information to landlords. 

The Council’s Accommodation Standards Policy will be amended in the New Year so that only dwellings with an EPC of A to C (D in exceptional circumstances) will be used to place homeless households.

As above

2023

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Reducing Waste

Action 4.1 Investigate recycling strategies in the Town centre.

Councillor Patrik Garten

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

Jen Stevens

John Edwards

Clear bags are ordered and we hope to start segregating recycling from litter at the start of February.  This will be through litter picking rather than litter bins at this stage.

NA

2024

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Action 4.2 Ensure MBC offices and buildings have recycling facilities.

Councillor Patrik Garten

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

Mark Green

Katie Exon

Maidstone House internal waste team cannot provide any other recycling, other than paper and card.  Officers have asked managing agents (Fidum) to source an alternative provider and provide us with a cost for provision of bins and disposal.  They plan to furnish us with these costs by March, we have asked for 2 options – one for the entire building and one for the areas only occupied by MBC, this is in respect of MH only.  Once we have received the costs, we can look at the viability of rolling this out to other buildings – Town hall, museum etc.

Increase in office recycling and reduction in waste

2024

Across timeline to 2030

Delayed due to existing contract term

Adapting to Climate Change

Action 5.2 Identify actions to mitigate climate change in existing developments.

Councillor Lottie Parfitt-Reid

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

James Wilderspin

Gemma Bailey

Officers have identified seven potential solar PV projects on Council buildings to maximise the renewable energy generated on these buildings for direct use by the Council cutting utility bills and reducing the Council’s carbon emissions. A business case to invest in a solar farm has been presented to Cabinet.

Officers continue to investigate nature-based solutions projects and tree planting opportunities, to reduce flooding and urban heat islands.

Shared heat network solutions continue to be investigated with third parties for Maidstone Town Centre.

NA

2023

Across timeline to 2030

On track

Enhancing and Increasing Biodiversity

Action 6.4 Enhance and expand wetland coverage across the Borough to support nutrient neutrality, flood prevention, and enhance biodiversity.

Councillor David Burton

And

Councillor Paul Cooper

Planning, Infrastructure, And Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee

And

Councillor Patrik Garten

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

Mark Green

Rob Jarman

James Wilderspin

Officers are preparing to go out to tender for specialist expansion and desilting of several MBC wetland and pond areas (see July report for further details). Works in parks and on MBC land is planned to commence in autumn 2024.

Officers are working with South East Rivers Trust (SERT) to identify funding, and partners with Ashford Council to expand the “Bring back the Beult” project to introduce wide scale water retention and nature based solutions to the Upper Medway catchment. Senior officers have met with SERT and further meetings are to be held with Alsford Council to determine project and funding scope.

Water quality

2022

2025

In progress

Making our Estate Carbon Neutral

Action 7.4 Identify temporary accommodation assets eligible for insulation and low carbon heating upgrades under funding schemes and arrange installation. Provide top up funding for any measures not fully funded to ensure all homes let by MBC as temporary accommodation are energy efficient and EPC rating improved to requirement.

Councillor Lottie Parfitt-Reid

Housing, Health and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

William Cornall

John Littlemore

When the Council buys and refurbishes homes to utilise for Temporary Accommodation, we stipulate that they must be refurbished to an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C.  Unfortunately, the social housing decarbonisation grant does not appear to be available for temporary accommodation. Something overlooked by DUHLC, something the Council has lobbied on.   

The Council is also currently undertaking a comprehensive refurbishment of Granada House, comprising 20 apartments, with monies from the Local Authority Housing Fund. Granada House was previously a Private Rented Sector asset that is being converted to affordable housing with a comprehensive specification that will deliver a high EPC rating and there is an ongoing commitment to explore the deployment of solar PV on the roof too.

AHP technology will start going into our 1,000 affordable homes programme to meet the Future Homes Standard (FHS) via Building Regulations.

NA

2023

Across the timeline to 2030

Delayed due to lack of grant