The Cabinet has decided to accept a grant to fund energy-efficient replacements in council buildings to help achieve Net Zero by 2030.

URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5393

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Council has set out a priority to achieve Net Zero by 2030. To support the commitment, an application was made to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Fund to fund a number of energy-efficient replacements in four of its estate buildings: The Gateway in Cecil Street, The Kent Innovation Centre and Ramsgate, and Hartsdown Your Leisure buildings.   The funding application was successful, and the council has received a Grant Award Agreement, which requires the council to match fund the project.   Continuing with this project and utilising the allocated funds will ensure the council goes some way in meeting its commitment of reaching Net Zero. Additionally, replacing like-for-like mechanical equipment that is coming to the end of its life will reduce the council's longer-term cost associated with future replacements.

Content: The Council has set out a priority to achieve Net Zero by 2030. To support the commitment, an application was made to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Fund to fund a number of energy-efficient replacements in four of its estate buildings: The Gateway in Cecil Street, The Kent Innovation Centre and Ramsgate, and Hartsdown Your Leisure buildings.   The funding application was successful, and the council has received a Grant Award Agreement, which requires the council to match fund the project.   Continuing with this project and utilising the allocated funds will ensure the council goes some way in meeting its commitment of reaching Net Zero. Additionally, replacing like-for-like mechanical equipment that is coming to the end of its life will reduce the council's longer-term cost associated with future replacements. Cabinet agreed the following:   1.  To accept the grant award of £1, 410, 000 awarded to the Council from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund;   2.  To approve the key decisions to award contracts for the design and the build of Air Source Heat Pumps, Cavity Wall Insulation, and replacement windows at The Gateway in Cecil Street, Ramsgate, and Hartsdown Leisure Centres and Kent Innovation Centre, following a procurement exercise;   3.  To approve the spending of a further £1,842,434 that can be spent by Thanet District Council from the approved capital budget to match fund the project over the next three financial years;   4.  That the Director of Place shall negotiate the final terms and sign the contract with the successful bidder;   5.  To approve a General Fund capital budget virement of £108,000 in 2025/26, to transfer funding to this project from the discontinued Hartsdown Leisure Centre Solar Panels capital scheme, to allow works to begin in this financial year. Agreeing the spend for this project will positively impact on the council’s commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2030. The project will reduce the carbon emissions of four council estate sites while reducing the longer-term costs associated with future replacements. The Council could decide to reject the Grant Award issued by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund. This would negatively impact on the council's commitment of reaching Net Zero by 2030.   The decision to reject the funding would additionally compromise the replacement of mechanical equipment in the four buildings, which are coming to the end of their life. The Council will incur increased costs to replace the mechanical equipment in the near future.

Date of Decision: July 24, 2025