Agenda item

The Committee considered the Report of the Corporate Director, Regeneration and Local Services that informed Members about the progress on European and Structural Investment (ESIF) Low Carbon Economy funding programmes (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Team Leader, Low Carbon Economy Team and Business Energy Efficiency Project Manager were in attendance to present the report and advised Members that European funding had stopped for three months following the BREXIT result but that the Department for Communities and Local Government is now accepting applications.

Members were provided with details of the Business Energy Efficiency Project; LOCARBO and Rebus together with details of outline bids which were currently being developed and an update on the progress of the bids was expected early in January 2017.

Councillor Jewell referred to Germany in the 1960’s and 1970’s and how community housing and roads were heated from industrial processes and could this be an opportunity that we consider.

The Officer responded that Teesside were looking into this potential use but there was not as much industry in Durham and that a company in Meadowfield were looking into putting pipes into the road, but this was in the very early stages.

The Chairman thanked the Officers for their very informative report.

Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.