Agenda item

Climate Programme

To agree Climate Programme objectives and Programme scope of expenditure 24/25. To include an update on the review of the Climate Action Plan.

Decision:

RESOLVED: (Unanimous)

 

The Environment and Sustainable Communities Committee resolved to:

 

A.    Approve strategic direction of the climate programme and progress towards delivery noting the business case approval will go through Investment Panel and Committee.

B.    Within the wider climate programme, support the launch of a bidding round this autumn

C.    Recommend to Board the allocation of funding for the Net Zero Villages programme to our constituent councils to enable local delivery according to Table 4.

D.    Recommend to Board that the remaining capital funding from the Care Homes Retrofit Programme is redeployed as part of the Climate Programme.

E.    To note the progress on the Climate Action Plan review for 2025-30, using funds from the climate programme

 

Minutes:

The Strategic Planning Manager introduced the report which provided the Committee with the background to the principles for agreeing the allocation of Climate Programme spend, the approach taken to shaping the Climate Programme, alignment with the Combined Authority’s Climate Strategy and projected timetable for delivery in 2024/25 against funding and outcomes.

 

During discussion the following points were noted:

 

a)    The bidding round would be structured to accommodate projects with varying timelines, including those that might extend into the new financial year, with the goals being to ensure the right outputs and impacts regardless of the project completion date.

b)    There was a £250,000 grant opportunity available for public sector organisations and community groups to apply for funding for renewable energy. A clear communication strategy was being developed alongside the implementation plan for these funds to identify the most effective means of reaching community groups.

c)     It was clarified that the £9 million capital allocation represented the total budget allocation for 4 years.

d)    The £50k designated for the East Cambridge District Council Habitat Management Plan was originally intended for biodiversity support, including surveys and action plans. Due to timing issues, the funding missed the current year's season for surveys. The proposal was now being considered for the next year's funding, aligning with the local nature recovery strategy. There was no need to reapply for this funding, and it would be addressed in future rounds of funding.  An update can be provided to the next committee.

e)    The funds allocated for the Net Zero Villages Programme were capital funds. Grant funding agreements would be prepared, and these would include terms and conditions typical for such funding. The plan was to issue 50% of the funds up front and the remaining 50% at the end of the financial year, subject to progress. The agreements would outline milestones and provide flexibility to ensure effective use of funds. Collaboration and shared best practices across local authorities would be encouraged to minimize administration costs

f)      If a council faced challenges the Combined Authority (CA) would offer support, including potential assistance from other local authorities. The second payment may be adjusted based on actual progress and cash flow needs. The aim was to balance flexibility with efficient payment processing, ensuring that funds were utilised effectively without unnecessary bureaucracy.

g)    Re- engagement with the Independent commission would be part of the broader climate change action plan review.

h)    The CA was working on detailed criteria for the allocation of funds, including eligibility, strategic fit with the climate change action plan, impact, and deliverability.

i)      It was noted that while a strict geographical allocation may not be feasible, the authority would monitor the spread of applications and adjust communications accordingly to ensure fair distribution.

j)      It was anticipated that the bidding process would start in late October, with a detailed appraisal and moderation process to follow. The CA was considering bringing in more support and exploring partnerships with organisations experienced in managing grant programs.

k)     The development of business cases for future pipeline projects was discussed. The possibility of integrating this with the bidding round and contracting external help was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

The Environment and Sustainable Communities Committee resolved to:

A.    Approve strategic direction of the climate programme and progress towards delivery noting the business case approval will go through Investment Panel and Committee.

B.    Within the wider climate programme, support the launch of a bidding round this autumn

C.    Recommend to Board the allocation of funding for the Net Zero Villages programme to our constituent councils to enable local delivery according to Table 4.

D.    Recommend to Board that the remaining capital funding from the Care Homes Retrofit Programme is redeployed as part of the Climate Programme.

E.    To note the progress on the Climate Action Plan review for 2025-30, using funds from the climate programme

 

Supporting documents: