Agenda item

This is a covering report for a presentation on H&F’s progress highlighting key achievements and opportunities to deliver net zero energy, with a particular focus on decarbonising heating systems in buildings and reducing energy bills.

Tim Pryce (Head of Clean Energy) presented the report which set out key achievements and opportunities to deliver net zero energy, with a particular focus on decarbonising heating systems in buildings and reducing energy bills. A high proportion of energy used in the borough came from buildings and reducing this was key to reaching the target of Net Zero. LBHF had most control over emissions from corporate assets and maintained schools. Large amounts of emissions also came from social housing and LBHF was looking to work with tenants to decarbonise their home. LBHF had launched the Healthy Homes initiative. This programme offered expert advice, home visits, and grant application support to help residents reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh (Heat Decarbonisation Lead) presented slides to the committee which outlined heat networks. This was being looked at as it was the cheapest way for LBHF to decarbonise heat. There was an aim for 20% of the UK’s heat to be produced by heat networks by 2050, this was currently at 3%. Peter Runacres (Earls Court Development Company) gave a presentation on a proposed heat network at Earls Court.

The Chair welcomed the ambition shown in the programme.

Councillor Omid Miri mentioned that critics of Net Zero say that there are costs involved to those in poverty, he asked how many residents had been helped through LBHF’s Healthy Homes Scheme or its predecessors. Tim Pryce responded that over 2,000 homes had been supported through previous programmes, including the Winter Ready Homes initiative. He explained that the intention was to consolidate all such programmes under the Healthy Homes umbrella. He added that a significant amount of advice had been provided to help residents identify financing options to decarbonise their homes.

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson noted that 546 homes had received upgrades in the past two years, with a further 516 scheduled, he questioned whether this was quick enough to reach Net Zero by 2030. Tim Pryce confirmed that, as part of the overall plan, thousands of homes had received some form of upgrade over time. He added that clean energy networks would enable many homes to benefit quickly and cost-effectively.

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked whether it was viable to reach the Net Zero target by 2030. Tim Pryce replied that the intention was to progress as quickly as possible, he mentioned that they were looking at bringing in capital investment to accelerate the process.  Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked what level of capital investment was needed to reach the target. Tim Pryce stated that he would follow up with further information after the meeting.

                                                                                                Action: Tim Pryce

Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson queried whether offsetting would be considered if the target of Net Zero by 2030 could not be met. Tim Pryce responded that offsetting was not the preferred approach. Bram Kainth added that electricity was now renewable and clean, and that if the government acted swiftly, clean energy could be scaled up. Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson asked whether achieving Net Zero was within the control of local authorities. Bram Kainth acknowledged that it was a challenging and ambitious target, and that large-scale projects, such as Earls Court, alongside government funding, would be necessary. He noted that the local authority could not achieve this alone.

The Chair referred to residents in the Civic Campus who were already benefiting from the scheme, asking how the benefits, such as cheaper energy, could be extended to residents outside of those directly purchasing energy. Tim Pryce explained that the electricity contractor would purchase heat from the heat network rather than relying on gas. He acknowledged that it was difficult to share the benefits directly, though there were wider advantages such as improved air quality and fewer gas boilers. Peter Runacres added that the benefits extended beyond energy costs, including improved health and wellbeing and reduced maintenance charges. He cited the Kings Cross regeneration project, where energy suppliers had been required to keep prices 5% below the average market rate.

Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier commended the progress made in West Kensington and congratulated officers on their work.

Councillor Wesley Harcourt reported that he had attended a meeting of all London local authorities, where heat networks had been discussed. He noted that LBHF’s approach was innovative, offering both heating and cooling. He added that new data centres were being built, presenting opportunities to integrate with the heat network. He acknowledged that the targets were challenging and expressed personal disagreement with the use of offsetting.

The Chair observed that LBHF’s high population density might work in its favour when it came to heat networks. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh emphasised the importance of spreading the benefits of heat networks to residents, highlighting the potential for job creation and economic growth. She noted that for every 10 green jobs created, an additional 92 jobs could be supported across the wider economy.

A resident expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work being undertaken by LBHF. They highlighted the role of energy champions, noting that using the passion of residents to engage with others was an effective and inclusive approach. They emphasised that while housing and heating were the largest sources of emissions, the importance of transport should not be overlooked, particularly due to its visibility. They noted that although cycling levels were high, more was needed. They suggested that the layout of the King Street cycle lane should be reconsidered to encourage families to use it more, adding that they would not currently feel comfortable allowing their children to use it. They stressed the need to reduce car usage. Councillor Wesley Harcourt responded that King Street represented an improvement, and that further work was planned for Uxbridge Road, with designs being developed in collaboration with TfL and funding expected in a couple of years. He added that work had begun on a North to South cycle lane, and that consultation was ongoing with TfL regarding a cycle lane across Shepherd’s Bush Roundabout. He acknowledged that King Street could still be improved and explained that it had originally been part of a much larger scheme, with £20 million in funding from TfL prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the scheme had since been scaled down, due to losing the funding.

A resident asked how motorised vehicles could be permanently prevented from using the King Street cycle lane, particularly outside the Civic Campus, which they described as a grey area where cars were unaware and had to be waved down. Councillor Harcourt acknowledged that improvements were needed and stated he was not aware of that specific issue. Bram Kainth added that once the construction work at the Civic Campus was completed, the entire carriageway would be reviewed, noting that the site had been under construction for six years and that works needed to be tied up first. Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier noted that no comments had been made on the King Street layout due to an ongoing investigation with the Metropolitan Police. He added that while some people would always need to use cars, Wood Lane had been signed off, and the Council were keen to see more cycle lanes across the borough.

The Chair reminded attendees that transport had been discussed extensively two meetings prior and was not being deprioritised. Ian Hawthorn confirmed that higher-level strategies for transport were currently being developed.

Another resident raised a question about Olympia. Councillor Chevoppe-Verdier explained that the area was currently affected by ongoing works and that the Council was working closely with TfL. Olympia had indicated a phased opening beginning in Q4 2025. The Chair advised that no one in the room had sufficient detail to add regarding Olympia and asked that this be followed up with the Planning team.

                                                                                                Action: Bram Kainth

The resident also asked about the difference between heat pumps and heat transfer systems, noting that most installations had been for heating, and queried whether there was a direction to maximise usage for both heating and cooling. Tim Pryce responded that climate change was increasing the need for cooling, particularly in London, where demand had previously been lower. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh added that the Civic Campus included cooling for residential units but noted that cooling systems were different and more feasible in new developments. Retrofitting existing buildings was more complex. Peter Runacres confirmed that air source heat pumps could provide cooling. Councillor Harcourt agreed that adaptation was becoming increasingly important and highlighted the role of greening, noting that green areas contributed to cooling. He referenced urban cooling projects that used phase change materials to regulate temperatures between 18–25°C.

The resident raised a concern about operational implementation, stating that they had contacted the housing repairs service regarding single-glazed windows and were told it did not fall within their remit. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh confirmed that work was ongoing for council housing and that improvements were being embedded into general maintenance. The Chair added that stock condition surveys had been conducted on social housing and that properties were being addressed in groups based on type. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh reiterated that properties were being categorised and that the worst-performing homes were being prioritised. Bram Kainth confirmed that Cabinet had approved the housing retrofit strategy. Councillor Harcourt announced that the Council had just received a £5.7 million grant to support these improvements. The Chair asked whether the Healthy Homes programme was part of this work. Tim Pryce clarified that Healthy Homes applied to private housing.

The resident asked whether, when repairs such as broken windows were being carried out, there was an effort to upgrade rather than simply replace. Meghan Kingsley-Walsh responded that specific schemes were in place for certain estates and that the asset management plan aimed to incorporate improvements during repairs, though cost considerations always had to be taken into account. Councillor Chevoppe-Verdier noted that in the West Kensington refurbishment project, double glazing had been retained.

The resident also raised the issue of School Streets. Councillor Chevoppe-Verdier stated that one scheme was currently being tested. A survey had been conducted at one school, where parents had expressed concerns and a petition was submitted by parents to remove the School Street. He added that LBHF were looking to work with all schools regarding School Streets.

Another resident reported that they had spoken to the Planning team regarding Olympia but had been referred to the developer. They had forwarded the correspondence to Councillor Chevoppe-Verdier and the Chair. Councillor Chevoppe-Verdier confirmed he was happy to engage. The Chair noted that the west side of the railway had gone through the Planning Committee. The Chair explained that she would contact the resident regarding this specific case, after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the report.