The half a billion cost of carbon cuts

Significant external investment will be required in order for RMBC’s housing stock to be “decarbonised” by the target date.

Such work has already taken place on 217 properties at The Lanes in East Dene, partially funded by the government’s green homes funding.

The total figure for the borough as a whole to be carbon neutral was revealed in an answer to a question from Liberal Democrat Cllr Drew Tarmey, who asked about RMBC’s plans for its own housing stock.

RMBC is aiming for its own operations to be carbon neutral by 2030, with the borough as a whole meeting the same target ten years later.

Cllr Amy Brookes, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are working towards net zero for the borough by 2040 within the challenging financial context, but with an estimated cost of half a billion pounds to complete the works, we will not be able to achieve this for council stock without significant external investment.”

Cllr Brookes said residents at The Lanes had noted a “marked difference” in thermal efficiency and comfort following the £4.2 million works.

The project included adding triple glazing, replacing old boilers, insulating external doors and re-sealing all flat roofs.

Another programme of work has started on 140 properties in Maltby and Hellaby, supported by funding obtained from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Cllr Brookes said: “This will deliver improved insulation measures, new roofing, external doors and window replacements with the anticipated outcome of significantly reducing the space heating demand for each property.

“The council will continue to deliver programmes of work such as above, as central Government funding becomes available.”

Cllr Tarmey said: “It is clear that the Conservative government has no intention of providing all the investment required to reduce bills for people in our area, but I also doubt that Labour in Rotherham are fully committed to energy efficiency.

“The Labour administration rejected a fully costed and easily deliverable Liberal Democrat budget amendment which would have brought forward planned improvements to council owned buildings, reducing fuel bills and actually saving the taxpayer money in the long term.

“That said, I’m pleased to see that work is ongoing throughout the borough to modernise council homes and we will continue to hold Labour to account on this.”