Non-domestic public buildings will be included in Birmingham City Council’s Green Deal scheme, Construction News reported.
The Green Deal, which plans to spend £1.2 billion on retrofitting buildings in Birmingham, is set to launch nationally next autumn and will allow people to invest in improving the efficiency of their homes at no upfront cost, by borrowing against the cost of future energy bills. The savings on bills as a result of improvements will cover the costs of repaying the loan.
Birmingham Energy Savers programme manager David Allport said the inclusion of non‑domestic public buildings increases the programme’s value and reduces the risk, as the sites are within council control.
The Council had expected to publish an OJEU tender notice for a lead contractor before the end of July, but has postponed it until next week to allow further consultation.
“We thought it was worth waiting from July until now to open up that possibility, because it clearly makes it one of the most attractive procurements in the refurb market,” he said.
Allport said council investment was necessary to kickstart the programme. “The big financiers do not want to take the first loss of this. There is a risk of market failure, which is why we see the role for us coming in.”
In the original plan the council said it would invest £100 million in the Green Deal work through council borrowing and investment from energy companies’ obligation.
This will now be extended to £400m should the lead partner find finance and with this approach Allport expects spending to be more than a £1bn by 2020.
Birmingham City Council is also looking to set up a framework of contractors to build and revamp leisure facilities and swimming pools in the city, Construction Enquirer reported.
The city council is looking at a proposal to draw up a preferred list of contractors to overhaul up to 20 sporting and leisure facilities worth £100 million.
The first scheme involves a competitive tender process to build a £14m community swimming pool and leisure centre in Sparkhill.
