URL: https://democracy.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=916

Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, is implementing the following decision made by Cabinet on 5 November 2024 regarding the Decarbonisation Initiatives Fund (Report number: CAB/WS/24/057):   ‘The officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, be authorised to award the entirety of the remaining balance of the Fund to eligible projects on the basis set out in part 2 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/057.’

Content: The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, is implementing the following decision made by Cabinet on 5 November 2024 regarding the Decarbonisation Initiatives Fund (Report number: CAB/WS/24/057):   ‘The officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Regulatory and Environment, be authorised to award the entirety of the remaining balance of the Fund to eligible projects on the basis set out in part 2 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/057.’ The specific details of the decision being implemented under delegated authority granted by Cabinet on 5 November 2024 is as follows:   To make grant offers to community organisations who applied via their local ward members to the Council’s Decarbonisation Initiatives Fund (DIF) for part-funding of projects to decarbonise community asserts.  The offers will be made to all organisations which submitted a technically viable proposal before the deadline of 6 September.  The basis of the grant offers will be the mechanism outlined in the Cabinet report. This was designed to ensure the fund was shared fairly and offers did not exceed the available funding.  This will be to offer a grant of up to 50 percent of the cost of the scheme or £15,000, whichever is the lower.    For schemes involving solar panels and batteries, applicants will also be offered the chance, in lieu of a DIF grant, to have their solar panels funded by the Council’s existing Solar for Business scheme and a battery installed by the Council using the DIF. Alternatively they can take the DIF grant as a part contribution to their own project. To implement the Cabinet’s decision taken in November 2024 as quickly as possible. Not applicable – the method of awarding the grants was already decided by Cabinet subject to further evaluation of the bids to determine which were viable and what the maximum grant ‘cap’ should be. 

Date of Decision: November 29, 2024