Agenda item - Investment Priority 4: Tackling the Climate Emergency and Environmental Sustainability

(Lead Member: Cllr J Scullion, Director: Liz Hunter)

Resolved:

With respect to the Natural Flood Management Programme the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) Programme costs of £1,186,090 be approved in order to support the delivery of the Natural Flood Management - Flood Risk and Drainage Programme. The total programme value is £7,392,862.

With respect to Landscapes for Water – Natural Flood Management the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Landscapes for Water – NFM scheme proceeds through decision points 2 to 4 (business justification) and work commence on activity 5 (delivery).

(ii) An approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £1,984,000 be given. The total scheme value is £1,984,000.

(iii) The Combined Authority enter into a funding agreement with the National Trust for expenditure of up to £1,984,000.

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

With respect to the Chellow Dene Wetland the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Chellow Dene Wetland scheme proceed through decision point 2 to 4 (business justification) and work commences on activity 5 (delivery).

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £41,000, to the Chellow Dene Wetland scheme. The total scheme value is £75,530.

(iii) The Combined Authority enter into a funding agreement with Aire Rivers Trust for expenditure of up to £41,000.

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

With respect to the Better Homes Hub the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Better Homes Hub programme proceed through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commence on the development of individual scheme business cases as outlined in the submitted report.

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of up to £18,425,000 be given and the reallocation of indicative funding between programmes and schemes within the Better Homes Hub Programme be delegated to the Director of Policing, Environment & Place. The total scheme value is up to £18,425,000.

(iii) Development costs of up to £2,585,000 be approved to secure staffing resources, consultancy support, undertake research work, develop individual scheme business cases, and deliver the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator element of the programme, taking the total programme approval to £3,303,293.

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

Members outlined the three schemes for consideration by the Combined Authority. Members noted that the ‘Better Homes Hub scheme’ aimed to reduce the carbon impact of the region through means such as retrofitting homes. The project for consideration provided a starting point towards meeting the aims of the Combined Authority, but members noted there was still pace to be gained.

The ‘Landscapes for Water – Natural Flood Management’ scheme would be conducted in partnership with the National Trust, and members noted the greater impact that could be achieved through partnership with other influential organisations.

Members noted the ‘Chellow Dene Wetland’ project would provide preventative measures against flooding, and would further reduce the carbon impact of the area by introducing a wildflower meadow.

Officers added that there was a potential for additional development funding regarding the Better Homes Hub, subject to confirmation from the government.