Agenda item

This Council notes:

• The Government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016.
• The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing.
• The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments.
• The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.

This Council believes:

• That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations.
• That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing.
• That the Passivhaus Standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace house.

This Council, therefore, requests that an early report is brought to the Executive Board to specify Passivhaus Standards on all new buildings on council-owned land and as a condition of sale on any council land.

It was moved by Councillor A Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Wilford that this Council notes:

• The Government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016.
• The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing.
• The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments.
• The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.

This Council believes:

• That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations.
• That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing.
• That the Passivhaus Standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace house.

This Council, therefore, requests that an early report is brought to the Executive Board to specify Passivhaus Standards on all new buildings on council-owned land and as a condition of sale on any council land.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Sobel, seconded by Councillor C Gruen;

Insert after “local services”:

• “From January 2016 the Government have proposed the lowest feed in tariff rate will be just 1.63p per kWh - as opposed to the current 12.47p for the smallest producers, usually single homes. This has the potential to devastate the domestic solar renewable market and cause a drastic drop in solar photovoltaic retrofitting in both private and social housing.”

Delete all after “three bedroom terrace house.” and replace with:

“This Council also notes that the Leeds Standard for Housing aims to improve the quality of building, with energy efficiency as a central component of these changes. This approach has emphasised the needs for all housing -whether on Council land or not- to meet high quality energy efficiency standards.

Given Central Government’s clear movement away from policies designed to improve energy efficiency, the Council resolves to ensure practical action takes place at a local level to secure a sustainable future.

Council therefore requests that officers investigate the need for even more challenging, locally set building standards, whilst also promoting and supporting self-builders, community-builders  and developers who will seek to build to Passivhaus or similar standards. Council requests that Executive Board receive a report on this within the current municipal year.”

The motion would therefore read:

“This Council notes:

• The Government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016.
• The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing.
• The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments.
• The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.
• From January 2016 the Government have proposed the lowest feed in tariff rate will be just 1.63p per kWh - as opposed to the current 12.47p for the smallest producers, usually single homes. This has the potential to devastate the domestic solar renewable market and cause a drastic drop in solar photovoltaic retrofitting in both private and social housing.

This Council believes:

• That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations.
• That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing.
• That the Passivhaus Standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace house.

This Council also notes that the Leeds Standard for Housing aims to improve the quality of building, with energy efficiency as a central component of these changes. This approach has emphasised the needs for all housing -whether on Council land or not- to meet high quality energy efficiency standards.

Given Central Government’s clear movement away from policies designed to improve energy efficiency, the Council resolves to ensure practical action takes place at a local level to secure a sustainable future.

Council therefore requests that officers investigate the need for even more challenging, locally set building standards, whilst also promoting and supporting self-builders, community-builders  and developers who will seek to build to Passivhaus or similar standards. Council requests that Executive Board receive a report on this within the current municipal year.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Sobel was carried and upon being put to the vote, it was;

RESOLVED - That this Council notes:

• The Government cancelling the introduction of Zero Carbon Home Standards in 2016.
• The negative impact this will have on householders at risk of fuel poverty in new housing.
• The missed opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in new developments.
• The loss of income to the local economy as a result of these lower energy efficiency standards, as householders’ income is spent paying energy bills rather than in local shops and on local services.
• From January 2016 the Government have proposed the lowest feed in tariff rate will be just 1.63p per kWh - as opposed to the current 12.47p for the smallest producers, usually single homes. This has the potential to devastate the domestic solar renewable market and cause a drastic drop in solar photovoltaic retrofitting in both private and social housing.

This Council believes:

• That under the principle of ‘localism’ councils can determine their own standards on land that they own if those standards comply with UK Building Regulations.
• That the internationally recognised ‘Passivhaus Standard’ offers an alternative to the UK’s diminished energy efficiency ambitions for new-build housing.
• That the Passivhaus Standard complies with UK Building Regulations and can deliver heating bills of less than £100/year for the average three bedroom terrace house.

This Council also notes that the Leeds Standard for Housing aims to improve the quality of building, with energy efficiency as a central component of these changes. This approach has emphasised the needs for all housing -whether on Council land or not- to meet high quality energy efficiency standards.

Given Central Government’s clear movement away from policies designed to improve energy efficiency, the Council resolves to ensure practical action takes place at a local level to secure a sustainable future.

Council therefore requests that officers investigate the need for even more challenging, locally set building standards, whilst also promoting and supporting self-builders, community-builders  and developers who will seek to build to Passivhaus or similar standards. Council requests that Executive Board receive a report on this within the current municipal year.”