Decision details
SME Energy Reduction Grants Programme
Decision Maker: Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To provide grants to SMEs in the Borough to carry out energy reduction retrofit projects that will reduce their carbon emissions and their energy costs. The grants will be for 50% of the project costs up to a maximum grant of £5,000.
The Borough has a target to reduce carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 60% by 2025. This project is working towards achieving that target as collectively SMEs produce a lot of the Borough’s carbon emissions. Altogether the commercial sector accounts for 62% of Tower Hamlets carbon emissions. This therefore is a sector where emissions have to reduce if the Borough is to meet its target.
Decision:
Abdul J Khan, (Sustainable Development Manager) presented the report, seeking the allocation of grant funding to SME’s from S106 Funds from the Carbon Fund for energy reduction projects in the borough.
He outlined the decision making background to the programme and its benefits.
The Mayor invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he reported that the GSSC sought clarity on the funding priorities and the checks on projects. The Chair also indicated that Councillor Andrew Wood objected to the proposal to award grants to businesses. However, the GSSC endorsed the recommendations. The Mayor also asked about the selection process and it was noted that each application would be assessed according to the criteria to ensure that those that would deliver the greatest benefit would secure funding.
The Mayor then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report and they indicated that they supported the proposals.
DECISION
1. That the grant funding of £220,000 be approved to deliver the SME Energy Reduction Programme
2. That the Corporate Director Place be authorised to enter into grant agreements and make any associated decisions in order to distribute the funding
Report author: Jonathan Taylor
Publication date: 20/06/2018
Date of decision: 06/06/2018
Decided at meeting: 06/06/2018 - Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee
Accompanying Documents: