Workstream 1 - Buildings and Energy
1.1 The Estates Programme (Phase 1) works are complete with a small number of exceptions with challenges out of our control, for example third party dependencies and building access restrictions. The buildings affected are Space, Sharp and the Tennis & Football Centre.
Phase 1 (a) works, funded by European Regional Development Fund must be complete by July 2023. Two projects are underway, solar car ports at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) and roof mounted solar PV at the Hammerstone Road Depot. The contractor for the solar car ports at the NCC has commenced detailed ground surveys and design, with work expected to start on sight from July 2022 and phased completions scheduled to begin in September 2022.
Phase 2 works, funded by Public Sector Decarbonising Scheme Round 1 (PSDS1), are almost complete as the programme end date was extended to June 2022. All projects are forecast to complete within the new deadline with the exception of the installation of a battery at Hough End Leisure Centre which experienced delays with the supply of the battery and some elements of the Building Management System work which was impacted by delayed network investigations and design. A costed impact assessment of these forecast delays is in development.
Phase 3 works funded by Public Sector Decarbonising Scheme Round 3 (PSDS3) are now in development as the funding has been confirmed. Manchester City Council Project Delivery Team is in place and working with procurement to appoint a delivery partner.
1.4 Following the update to Executive on the 19th January 2022, the Council took its original decision to proceed and seek to purchase a solar farm or enter into a suitable Power Purchase Agreement. Since that decision, global energy markets have changed significantly. Initially we saw rapidly increasing electricity prices in autumn 2021 as a result of higher global gas prices and historically low wind output for September 2021. With the commencement of war in the Ukraine, European energy supplies have been further disrupted and prices have risen further. The outlook for energy prices is significantly higher than when the original decision was taken. As a result of higher prices and the UK’s new Energy Security Strategy (March 2022), the market for assets to purchase has become significantly more competitive with assets demanding a higher price and being in short supply.
1.7 GMCA have developed a retrofit accelerator scheme to assist “willing to pay” homeowners who want advice on how to retrofit their homes. It is being led with the University of Salford and draws in partners from the housing sector, businesses, and other organisations across GM.
1.8 Strategic Housing Service Project Manager is now in post. The recruitment for Zero Carbon Programme Manager is still ongoing with a closing date of 7th June. Development of the work programme for these posts is underway and will focus on leading on housing retrofit and zero carbon housing.
A number of sites have been identified as potential properties to include in a bid for the second wave of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) including four tower blocks in Newton Heath and 30 properties on George Leigh Street and Anita Street in Ancoats. This bid will be part of a Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) submission as the funder has recommended consortia bids.
One Manchester are progressing retrofit works on around 90 former council properties on the Grey Mare Lane estate in East Manchester as part of the SHDF demonstrator project.
Workshops are being held with the Council’s Private Finance Initiative contractors to review their asset management plans in order to align their work with the Council's zero carbon ambition.
1.12 Changes to the timetable of the Local Plan are being considered to fully understand the implications of the recent Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.