Issue - meetings

A presentation will be made.

The Board received a presentation on the Greenest Borough Strategy.

The Board was advised of the national and regional context within which the Strategy had been formed. It was noted that the Strategy would address Government targets in relation to the reduction of emissions and the targets within the Mayor’s London Plan and supporting strategies.

In addition to the broader national and regional targets, the Strategy was also informed by the local context, including the Sustainable Community Strategy, the Haringey Council Plan and the Strategic Framework for Improving Adults’ Well-Being 2007/10.

In terms of linkage to the Integrated Housing Board it was noted that the following issues were addressed within the Strategy:

• Reducing CO2 emissions
• Improving energy efficiency
• Improving external public spaces –green spaces and the built environment
• Targeting landlords

It was noted that an extensive consultation programme had been undertaken and that this had included residents, Partners and Members and Council staff. The feedback received as part of this process had been taken on board and was now reflected in the Strategy.

The Council’s Cabinet would consider the Strategy in April 2008 and it would be submitted to Council in July 2008.

The Chair noted that Fuel Poverty was a key issue for the Board and ensuring that new heating systems installed into Council properties were energy efficient was important. He requested that a report be brought to the Board in relation to this setting out how the Council, Partners and residents should go about tackling this.

The Board was advised that the Decent Homes standard required that certain measures were applied to all new builds. The Assistant Director Strategic and Community Housing advised that a report would be submitted to the Boards next meeting pulling together all of the information available in relation to reducing emissions from domestic dwellings.

There was agreement that it would be useful if a set of standards, to be used when discussing new projects with Partners, could be drafted. This  should also include details of builders, appliances and materials that were recommended in terms of energy efficiency. This could then be used to measure bids against. It was agreed that this could be combined with the report on the new Code for Sustainable Homes.

It was noted that at present the Council’s Corporate Procurement Team were putting together guidelines on ‘green purchasing’.

RESOLVED:

1. That the presentation be noted.

2. That a report be submitted to the Board setting out how  the Council, Partners and residents should address the need to ensure new heating systems were energy efficient.

3. That a report on the new Code for Sustainable Homes should include details in relation to the creation of a new set of standards in relation to energy efficiency for use by the Council and Partners.