Decision details

To update Cabinet on progress of the Heat Networks in Bedminster and Temple and seek approval to accept and spend grant awards from government.

Cabinet

1. Noted the HNIP offer of £1.8m for the Temple scheme
2. Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Energy and Waste, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Performance and the s151 Officer, to accept and spend the HNIP grant of £1.35m in respect of the Bedminster scheme (including approval of grant conditions).
3. Approved the allocation of a further £0.76m borrowing (to add to the £4.9m approved in March 2020) for the next phases of the Bristol heat networks (namely Bedminster).
4. Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Energy and Waste, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Performance and the s151 Officer, to accept and spend the HNIP loan of £3.27m as a replacement for allocated Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) funding as an alternative funding mechanism only if this provided more beneficial terms than using PWLB.
5. Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration to:
   1. Enter contractual arrangements with Wessex Water (Bedminster network) and subject to these, progress the sewer heat or alternative air or ground source heat pump energy centre solution
   2. Enter into connection agreements and supply agreements, if required, prior to transfer of the network to Bristol Heat Networks Ltd or City Leap
   3. Apply for the appropriate permissions and licences as required to progress the next phase of the heat networks (including Energy Centre planning permissions)
6. Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Energy and Waste, to procure and enter contracts for delivery of all goods, works and services (including associated operation and maintenance contracts) as required to deliver the work to the value of £11.64m as outlined in the report.
7. Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Energy and Waste, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Performance and the s151 Officer, to apply for any further related funding that maybe above the key decision threshold but is in line with the development of these networks, for example the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and the Green Heat Networks Fund.