Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report to update Members of the Housing Scrutiny Commission on the climate credentials of the new build council houses proposed at Saffron Velodrome and Lanesborough Road.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to update Members of the Housing Scrutiny Commission on the climate credentials of the new build council houses proposed at Saffron Velodrome and Lanesborough Road.

·         The report provided the Commission with an update on progress in association with Leicester City Council new builds and the services commitment to improving energy efficiency of the new builds.

·         Phase 1 of the new build programme was in progress and the first of the new homes was anticipated for completion and ready for occupation in October 2020.

·         The current and future phases would also help address the shortage of 2 bedroomed and wheelchair accessible accommodation.

·         The presenting Officer clarified points following Members queries including the difference between ‘passive House’ standards and the ‘Leicester Standard’ which was explained that passive houses were generally more airtight. The ‘Leicester standard’ which the service would be concentrating on, was noted to be simple to understand, based on fabric first approach and flexible. Heat exchangers were also explained.

·         The next two phases would be Saffron Velodrome and Lanesborough Road. The sustainability and energy efficiency approach that would be adopted for these two phases was explained.

·         Some Members of the Commission requested a comparison of the costs of building more traditional houses compared to the new build houses proposed. The presenting Officer noted that this would be clearer once the builds had taken place and a builder company appointed, of which the tender process had now commenced. Once a supplier had been secured, a further report would be bought to the Committee.

·         This model being used was chosen to ensure a balanced approach of new technology and generation insulation. The service was constantly looking at how to build new homes and future phases would attract various approaches and different methods would still be explored especially with the advancement of technology.

·         On the topic of social value clauses would be included in the tender documents relating to local employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

·         Discussions would take place with Housing colleagues to look into the possibilities of upskilling people/ existing staff to deliver the installs and how this would take place. The Assistant City Mayor for Housing – Councillor Cutkelvin requested that the Head of Service, Housing – Simon Nicholls liaise with Assistant City Mayor for Policy Delivery and Communications - Councillor Myers who had recently been leading on social value within procurement, to look at some of the work already identified in this area.

AGREED:

1.    To recommend that when Members and Officers were considering planning applications – not just housing, but offices and commercial developments – that they strongly encouraged site layouts which would maximise the use and efficiency of solar power as an energy source. 

2.    That social value clauses be included in housing contracts which support training, development and employment at the local level.

3.    That Members welcome the building fabric improvements which proposed up to a 70% improvement based on current building control standards.

Councillor Wilmott joined the meeting during deliberation of this item.