Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services seeking the commencement of Energy Saving measures and refurbishment works across the city, utilising PV panels/systems.

(i)  To recommend that Council approve, in accordance with Finance Procedure Rules, the addition of £1,250,000 to the HRA Capital Programme for the installation of photo voltaic systems, funded by unused Direct Revenue Financing (DRF).

(ii)  Subject to Council approval of recommendation (i), to approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, expenditure of £1,250,000 in 2012/13 on the installation of photo voltaic systems.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £612,000 in 2012/13 on the external cladding of PRC houses, provision for this already exists in the unapproved section of the HRA Capital Programme.

(iv)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the virement of £600,000 from the Electrical Riser Programme to the Itchen View Estate Lift Programme.

(v)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, additional expenditure of £600,000 in 2012/13 on the Itchen View Estate Lift Refurbishment Programme.

Financial Procedure Rules state that all schemes already in the capital programme up to the value of £125,000 require approval by the relevant Chief Officer following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Finance Officer. Schemes over £125,000 but less than £250,000 will require approval by the Cabinet Member. Schemes between £250,000 and £2 million will require Cabinet approval and those over £2 million will require Council approval. Where a new scheme is being added to the programme and there is a material change to the revenue implications, for example where Direct Revenue Financing is being used, this requires Council approval.

1. There have been various consultation meetings with tenant groups and leaseholders during the last nine months with regard to the proposed programme of capital expenditure associated with the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the new self-financing regime.
2. These works form part of the recently approved 4 year plan (formally approved in November 2011).
3. The alternative option of not undertaking the works identified would leave the Council’s homes and surrounding areas in their present condition and would not accord with the view expressed during the consultation process or with the Council’s policies of providing homes that comply with the four new headings:

·  Safe, Wind and Weather Tight

·  Warm and Energy Efficient

·  Modern Facilities

·  Well Maintained Communal Facilities