Retrofitting Council homes

I recently brought a motion to update the council’s retrofitting strategy to include a dedicated council team, with training and apprenticeships, to retrofit council homes and make them much more energy efficient. This would lower bills for council tenants, and help reduce our emissions.

Read my motion here.

Motion By Councillor Watt – Retrofitting Strategy

“Committee:

Notes the two Design and Development Commissioning reports related to the retrofit and refurbishment of several council-owned blocks that are on today’s agenda.

Asks that a report reviewing the council’s retrofitting strategy be brought to Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work in two cycles to include:

1.    A sustainable, best-value approach to retrofitting and major repair programmes by investing in upskilling and recruiting staff;

2.    How best to put in place a progressive apprenticeship programme that secures our future workforce;

3.    Consulting major stakeholders, like trades unions, about a revised strategy;

4.    Clearly identifying what additional costs may be required to deal with issues like ventilation systems, asbestos in older buildings and other challenges that could arise during retrofit and refurbishment projects; and

5.    How external funding might be accessed so that the cost of retrofitting does not need to be funded from our tenants’ rents.

6.  Further asks that the report to Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee is referred to this Committee for consideration of any financial implications.”