Council decarbonisation plans aimed to get Westmorland and Furness to a carbon net zero position by 2037 have been given an additional boost, thanks to £1.75 million in funding for works at four key buildings.
Westmorland and Furness Council applied to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for 2024/25 to fund works at Kendal Leisure Centre, Appleby Leisure Centre, Kendal Market and South Lakeland House.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix. The programme enables public authorities to fund works to decarbonise their estates in support of national decarbonisation targets.
All buildings will have their gas boilers replaced with air source heat pumps and additional works include plant room pipe insulation at Appleby Leisure Centre, installation of rooftop solar PV and a pool cover at Kendal Leisure Centre and additional rooftop solar PV at South Lakeland House.
The council will be match funding the gas boiler replacement costs from their prioritised capital maintenance budget taking the total project value to over £2 million.
The estimated annual total carbon emissions saved from carrying out the above projects is 343.2 tCO2e.
This grant award builds on previous successful applications for funding, including the Low Carbon Skills Fund award for decarbonisation assessments at all 69 council managed schools and funding for triple glazing and solar PV works at Appleby and Penrith Leisure Centres from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.
Cllr Giles Archibald, Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
“Our vision for Westmorland and Furness is to be a great place to live, work and thrive, and to provide leadership in the drive to become carbon net zero. In accordance with the agreed Carbon Management Strategy 2024-2029, Westmorland and Furness Council is on track for its target to achieve Scope 1 & 2 net zero carbon emissions by 2037, along with a delivery timeline for actions to deliver carbon reduction.”
“Accepting funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is in direct support of the Council’s approach for carbon reduction and these works to decarbonise buildings will directly reduce the Council’s Scope 1 and 2 Carbon emissions.”
Cllr Andrew Jarvis Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance said:
“We’re investing heavily in energy saving upgrades for our buildings and we have managed to access funding from multiple streams to help us achieve our net zero goals.”
“This recent announcement is great news and supports our plans to make buildings more energy efficient. Not only is this good for the environment but will generate significant savings for the council.”
Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger said:
“We have no time to waste in addressing climate change and to see how Westmorland and Furness Council is tackling its carbon footprint is inspiring.
“There is still a lot of work to do, but the Phase 4 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding will help it move closer to its net zero goals. Our teams at Salix look forward to working with the council on this stage if its journey.”