Agenda item

The Chair invited Jacob Coburn, Adviser, to introduce the report.

Jacob introduced the report which set out the current barriers to the retrofit sector, the implications that retrofit would have on the work undertaken by councils, and changes that could be implemented to support retrofit skills and employment to develop effectively and at speed. In parallel, officers of the LGA’s Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board continued to look at approaches to ‘whole-place’ street /neighbourhood decarbonisation, including buildings and transport. The Board’s work would make recommendations to policy makers, national and local partners, and local authorities across the UK. Both pieces of work would give the LGA a clear policy position and strategy for retrofit.

Board Members made a number of comments and asked questions which related to the following points:

• The net-zero agenda.
• A proposed timeline re green skills and green jobs in agriculture.
• The need to insulate and ventilate homes to avoid high prices and contribute to net-zero.
• The need to undertake more work across the country re training and qualifications for people of all ages.
• Making the case to government for a strategic approach across all sectors and to better support councils with the next steps.
• The need for innovation and sustainability to encourage councils to procure appropriately.

Jacob and the Chair responded to Board Members’ comments, setting out the following points:

• Councils’ Adult Community Learning (ACL) teams had undertaken a significant amount of work during and post Covid-19 pandemic to support people of all ages in retraining and upskilling.
• Re the example provided in point 15 of the report, additional information could be submitted to a future meeting of the Board in terms of the work that Devon County Council had undertaken.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.

Action:

• Officers to re-circulate the LGA’s green economy work to Board Members.

• Officers to submit an update report to the next meeting of the Board.