Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Councillor Richard Somner, and Jenny Graham.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 September were accepted as a true and accurate record.

No Declarations of Interest were received.

Rob Daniels (Head of Grants – Greenham Trust) gave a presentation which provided an overview of the Greenham Trust’s Environmental and Social Impact Initiatives which can be viewed on the recording: Environment Advisory Group Open Forum – (25 November 2024)

Rob Daniels was asked a number of questions and responded as follows:

• The Northcroft Project would use part of Thames Water’s land as part of the old railway line.
• Once the towpath works were complete, the national cycle network would move to the towpath away from the A4.
• Greenham Trust worked with youth clubs such as Berkshire Youth and gave funding for them to support young people and provide opportunities for them. 
• Members noted the opportunity for community bids, with the deadline at the beginning of January. 
• Greenham Trust already provided match funding for parish councils’ contributions, and there was potential for match funding for West Berkshire Council’s contributions.
• Greenham Trust would need to work with another non-profit regarding hedge laying. If an organisation in the local area focussed on hedge laying, Greenham trust would be able to support it.
• The projects noted in the presentation were the main projects Greenham Trust were working on.
• The criteria for a qualifying project were broad, as long as it was not statutory or a business, it could be a project, and Greenham Trust would work with the promoting organisation to attract funding. They would engage with each project on an individual basis.
• Greenham Trust did not fund projects in isolation, and focused on getting organisations to work together, and signposted people to the appropriate organisation. There were links all over the community.
• Greenham Trust looked for established communities, with a certain amount of due diligence before any funding was given. Funding was made as simple as possible, but a significant amount of background information was required.
• Historically, most projects were capital projects. However, given the ongoing cost of living crisis, revenue projects were being increasingly considered.

Officers noted that there were workshops available regarding hedge laying and would forward them to members.

Action: Officers to provide details of local hedge laying workshops.

https://nexgenheating.com/audiences/social-housing-and-residential-landlords

Ian Sanderson and Matt Billington (NexGen Heating) gave a presentation on Electric Wallpaper: The affordable, low carbon solution for heating buildings, which can be viewed on the recording: Environment Advisory Group Open Forum – (25 November 2024)

Ian Sanderson and Matt Billington were asked a number of questions and responded as follows:

• It was possible for individual tiles to be heated, with automatic heating available in zones.
• In the marketplace, the government needed to address the cost of heating differential between gas and electric. A consumer was more likely to choose gas due to the 1 to 4 cost ratio. The heated panels would work with solar panels and would deliver projects with renewability.
• The Green Levy that was placed on electricity could be rebalanced, and NexGen was three times more efficient than a gas boiler.NexGen had customers in social housing who were saving more with heated tiles because they were agile heating within the home, by heating in zones.
• If there was a 15% swing between gas and electricity prices, they would be on par.
• There were multiple case studies that could be shared with members of the EAG.
• Heat pumps required a significant upfront investment, and there would be significant costs of insulation and upkeep. NexGen would not require any upkeep.
• It would be critical for pressure to be put on government regarding support for innovative technologies such as the electric wallpaper. 
• It was possible for the equipment to be installed without professional help.
• For a 2 to 3-bed flat at 40 to 60 sq. ft., it would cost £2,300 to £2,800 as a capital expenditure, and a similar cost to install the electric wallpaper.
• NexGen had been in contact with the Big Issue, in order to train people to install the electric wallpaper.
• If the project was successful, there would need to be 10,000 installers by 2030, installing in 150,000 houses per year. The full cost for installing the system into a house would be approximately £8000 with every room working independently, controlled via an app or in the room, with no maintenance. This compared to heat pump pricing which could cost £13,500 to purchase and install. All power collected from a solar panel would not need an inverter, and would not suffer a 8-12% loss converting from DC to AC.
• The technology needed to be recognised, which could be a positive influence on EPC rating on homes.
• NexGen had invested in a consortium which purchased derelict housing or social housing unusable in housing stock.
• People should be put first with health and wellbeing.
• There was a block regarding lobbies for gas and heat pumps, there were no lobby groups for SME companies. The government needed to allow councils to have a toolkit for tackling ongoing heating issues.
• NexGen had received support from the Welsh Government, and Scottish Government, however the UK central government was not as supportive.
• NexGen were in a partnership with EON. Consumers were not buying into the heat pump even with the funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

No items were discussed under any other business.

Members voted to exclude the press and public and moved into a Part II session.