Lancaster City Council is in year 4 of an 8-year programme of ‘fabric first’ led energy improvement works across our Council stock. The goal of this project is to raise the energy performance rating of all Council Housing properties to a minimum ‘C’ rating by 2030 in line with Government requirements.

Lancaster City Council has submitted an application for Warms Homes match funding to improve circa 150 properties. This follows recent improvements to circa 130 properties following applications to Social Housing Decarb Fund and LAD funding.

Ongoing and further additional improvements will be sought through the range of measures listed below, as well as ongoing support for those who live in properties which fall below the ‘C’ rating.  

We will continue our major void programme which includes a significant energy performance retrofit component, following a fabric first rationale installing insulation and efficiency measures. We will build on the successful strategy this year and aim to return all Void properties for re-letting at a minimum ‘C’ rating and take all opportunity to exceed this standard.

Through 2024/25, Lancaster City Council has continued delivery of energy improvement measures using external funding through the Social Housing Decarb Fund Wave 2.1 programme. This has added matched co-funding of approximately £700k throughout the total duration of the project to our existing capital programme for energy efficiency works.

From our initial funding application, we are expecting 105 homes to receive a combined total of 245 installed measures which include insulation (external, internal and loft) as well solar PV installations. Whilst the funding will draw to a close in March 25, the council has also joined a consortium being led by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to bid for funding from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. If successful, this will provide additional match co-funding for the continued delivery of energy efficient works for the period 2025-28. 

2024/25 will see delivery of at least 12 whole house improvements delivering significant improvement in energy performance to a current ‘C’ EPC rating, which equates to a potential 25% reduction in annual carbon emissions and lower bills for tenants.  
 
This project will continue at a similar level through 2025/26, addressing low performing properties picked up through the void property process.  

The minimum standard for loft insulation is to achieve at least 300mm. 2024/25 will see 86 new roofs insulated as part of phase 2 of the Ryelands roofing programme and in addition, through void maintenance, we will ensure that all properties for new tenancies achieve the 300mm standard.  
 
Learning from energy improvements, insulation work will include sloping soffits and lagging exposed pipework and water storage, future proofing against pipe bursts we have experienced during the recent episodes of very cold weather.  
 
BRE heat loss modelling calculates that 25% of heat energy is lost through roofs, which demonstrates the contribution of this low cost but effective energy saving insulation measure to our carbon reduction strategy.  

During 2024/25 a pilot inspection programme, including thermal imaging, has taken place for 50 dwellings to understand the performance of current cavity wall insulation and to inform future decisions about programmes of work in this area. Analysis of the data is currently underway.  

Installations to 64 properties have been identified and are underway through the Social Housing Decarb Fund Wave 2.1 programme referred to above. The Energy Support Officer continues to ensure there is strong tenant engagement with the project. Connection to the ORSIS system enables remote monitoring and information to help tenants adapt to the new technology and achieve the maximum benefit from the installation.

We will continue with the boiler renewal programme to replace aged and inefficient gas boilers with state of art energy efficient modern gas appliances providing cost effective instantaneous hot water. This provides more efficient heating with improved control, and affords a higher-level thermal comfort for tenants, with reduced carbon emissions.

During 2024/25 a total of at least 350 ‘A’ rated gas boilers will be installed by our gas partner EMCOR. 

The energy crisis affects all households but is adversely impacting our low income and vulnerable tenants.   
 
The energy support service seeks to support all new tenancies providing energy advice and managing a busy referral service for any existing tenants who would like support and advice. We are on course to exceed over 200 home visits during 2024/25 to provide invaluable energy related advice to council tenants.   
 
To meet the anticipated increased demand, we continue to roll out energy advice through our media platforms and energy surgeries and have started working collaboratively with Green Rose and Citizens Advice to ensure tenants can benefit from tailored energy visits and resources. 

We have adopted an EPC ‘A’ rating as the benchmark for all new properties and ground up conversions and will take all affordable opportunities to exceed this standard and to incorporate low carbon and renewable technologies. 
 
As a tangible demonstration of our commitment to new low carbon housing, this is the standard for any future development of the Mainway Estate or similar projects. Nearing completion are four new units of Independent Living Accommodation at Alder Grove which will utilise highly energy efficient modular construction. These homes are expected to achieve ‘A’ rating and will include PV panels.

Currently 56% of the RMS fleet are now electric, with charging points provision having been created at White Lund Deport and Heaton House, Lancaster and an increased number of charging points across the district are now provided through the work of the Council’s Business Improvement and Project Delivery team.