The Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund (PSDF) - Find a freedom of information request

Overview: The aims are restricted to:

1. Finding out about improvements to council owned buildings NOT covered by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). The SHDF covers works to council homes only. I'll put in a separate request about that.

2. The focus is on three main categories of works

a) Energy efficiency works (insulation etc)

b) Installation of heat pumps, if relevant.

c) Installation of solar panels, if relevant.

Works could apply to: council owned non-residential buildings, and local residents, some of whom might not be tenants of council homes.

- Costs: a rough estimate is fine. (If known). I don't need precise figures.

- Relevant periods to report on: whatever's easiest.

Part 1: council owned non-residential buildings

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund (PSDF): provided funding for improvements to some public sector non-residential buildings, including council buildings. Some councils may have bid for projects that didn't receive funding. Some may not have bid at all. Some match funding from councils may have been required.

Defining 'major' non-residential buildings: includes offices, leisure centres, housing offices, libraries, community centres, recycling centres etc. No need to make and extensive list of every 'building,' regardless of size. For example, a recycling centre may include several small buildings on the same site. For this purpose that counts as just one building/site.

Questions

1. Successful PSDF bids (if relevant): can you provide brief details of the works covered, under the following categories:

a) Number of buildings to get energy efficiency improvements. (Eg, 2 office blocks to be improved from EPC Band D to C by 2025). Cost.

b) Heat pumps: number of buildings where HPs will be installed. (If any). Cost.

c) Solar panels: number of buildings where solar panels will be installed. (If any). Cost.

2. Unsuccessful PSDF bids (if relevant): can you provide brief details of the works covered, under the same categories:

a) Number of buildings that would have got energy efficiency improvements. Cost.

b) Heat pumps: number of buildings where HPs would have been installed; cost.

c) Solar panels: number of buildings where solar panels would have been installed; cost.

3. Self-funded schemes: from the council's own resources, without PSDF funding, if relevant.

If the council has ongoing schemes or future plans to improve other non-residential buildings, brief details would be appreciated on the same types of works:

a) Number of buildings covered by energy efficiency improvements. Cost.

b) Heat pumps: number of buildings where HPs will be installed; cost.

c) Solar panels: number of buildings where solar panels will be installed; cost.

4. How many major non-residential buildings does the council own?

5. How many major buildings reach different Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands, if known? If this isn't recorded centrally somewhere, just state that.

Part 2: energy efficiency improvements to other local homes: all tenures

Background: this is more complicated because works might or might not be (part) covered by other government funding programmes, in addition to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which I've asked about in another FOI request. For example:

- The Homes Upgrade Grant (HUG): councils can distribute to eligible households, any tenure. (I'm not sure if councils would get involved in commissioning works)

- The Energy Company Obligation (ECO): local authorities can refer eligible households; lower income groups, or those with low energy efficiency. Again, any tenure. (Presumably councils just refer eligible households to energy suppliers and don't

get involved in works, with the possible exception of council tenants)

 The government's Heat & Buildings Strategy (2021) stated that the BEIS Local Net Zero Programme from 2017, 'supports Local Authorities …and communities to play a leading role.' (To build capacity etc. Five regional Hubs were established). £15m was also allocated to a Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund to help organisations develop plans.

1. If the council has records of local homes improved under ECO or HUG, brief details would be appreciated: number of homes covered; an explanation of the council's role; if heat pumps or solar panels are involved. If you have no figures readily available, just state that.

2. Technical support from government: if you have received help from the Local Net Zero Programme or Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund, brief details/comments would be appreciated.

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Part 1

1. No successful Bids

2.

a) One Building - £1,060,000

b) One Building - £220,000

c) None.

3.

a) 23 Buildings - £1,750,000

b) None

c) None

4. 476

5. Not centrally recorded

Part 2

1,2. This information is held by the district councils,

Please find their contact details below.

foi@boston.gov.uk

customerservices@e-lindsey.gov.uk

foi@n-kesteven.gov.uk

info@sholland.gov.uk

foi@southkesteven.gov.uk

customer.services@west-lindsey.gov.uk

legal@lincoln.gov.uk