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Agenda item
Sustainable Housing in Inclusive Neighbourhoods (SHINE) updated bid
(Cabinet Decision)
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment, submitted a report which sought delegated authority for the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council and Housing, Communication and Equalities portfolio holder, to enter into a partnership agreement to support the EU funded SHINE (Sustainable Houses in Inclusive Neighbourhoods) project.
There were currently two approved EU-funded projects in Hastings, SHINE and CAN (Climate Active Neighbourhood), which aimed to tackle fuel poverty and reduce the town’s carbon emissions by piloting CO2 reduction and low carbon technologies. SHINE activities will take place across a number of deprived neighbourhoods in St Leonards, while CAN will focus on the Ore, Baird and Tressell wards of Hastings. Cabinet had been kept up to date with progress on both of these initiatives.
SHINE was a 4 year project, commencing in September 2016, and involving 15 partners from across the UK, Belgium, Netherlands and France. Hastings Borough Council intendeds to lead the activity of the UK partners; AmicusHorizon, Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) and Brighton and Hove City Council.
The report noted the risks associated with the SHINE and CAN (Climate Active Neighbourhood) projects following the recent referendum decision to leave the European Union (EU). The current advice from the DCLG and European partners is to proceed with the bid. The risk of disruption by the Brexit negotiations will be mitigated by keeping the projects under constant review and taking appropriate action to end the project as quickly as possible if funding comes to an end earlier than expected.
RESOLVED that:
1. Delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council and Housing, Communications and Equalities Portfolio Holder, to enter into a partnership agreement on the EU funded SHINE cooperation project and deliver the associated outcomes, and;
2. To continue to participate in the SHINE and CAN programmes as detailed in the partnership agreements but regularly review the situation, taking into account the negotiations over Brexit and minimise the financial risk to the council
The reason for this decision was:
1. HBC’s involvement in the SHINE project will see a total investment of £1.77m (Euro 2.11m) to the town. The funding application has been revised several times on the advice of assessors and this report confirms the final stage of the scheme and the funding approved.
2. The CAN project was approved by Cabinet in November 2015 and will see total investment of £845k in North East Hastings.
3. Finding for both projects will help reduce carbon emissions from properties and improve the housing conditions of residents living in some of the worst properties in the town. The initiatives will also help alleviate fuel poverty.
4. With the UK planning to leave the EU, the current advice is that the UK remains a full member and entitled to participate in EU funded projects, until such time of a withdrawal date. Once the Brexit negotiations are final and / or become clearer, actions may have to be taken when their impact on the projects has been assessed.
Supporting documents:
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