Funding secured for study to decarbonise Council buildings
- £127,000 Government funding awarded to carry out feasibility study at the Town Hall and other smaller Council sites
- Decarbonisation works are already under way at other major Council buildings as part of ambitious target for a net-zero Reading
A feasibility study into the decarbonisation of Reading Town Hall will take place after the Council secured Government funding.
Built in the 18th and 19th centuries, the historic Town Hall is the last major Council building which does not have current plans to be decarbonised.
The Council recently started work on decarbonising the heating system at the Civic Offices and work is also under way on a project at the Hexagon Theatre.
All three projects are in line with the town’s and Council’s ambitions for Reading to become a net zero borough.
The Council has now secured £127,000 from Phase 5 of the Low Carbon Skills Fund. The fund is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
This will enable decarbonisation feasibility studies at the Town Hall, in Blagrave Street, and an audit of the remaining smaller Council buildings to help identify priorities, options and approximate costs for its buildings to meet the net zero target by 2030.
The findings will allow the Council to take advantage of future external funding to carry out its decarbonisation works.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“The Council is already making great progress with decarbonising its major buildings, including the Civic Offices and Bennet Road depot.
“This funding will allow us to look at the work needed to decarbonise one of the town’s best loved and most iconic buildings. The Town Hall is an old building which is costly to run and is also the Council’s last major property which has not been decarbonised.
“I hope the results of the study will allow us to submit successful bids for further funding in the future to help Reading meet its ambitious targets to be net-zero.
“It is essential the Council is seen to be leading the way in taking climate action which will not only save council tax payers money but will cut emissions and help create a healthier environment for Reading residents. We would encourage other major organisations with properties in Reading to follow suit.”
Salix programme manager Christopher Masters said:
“It’s inspiring to think that this funding will make a difference to such an iconic local building such as the Town Hall.
“We are looking forward to supporting Reading Borough Council as it makes this important step in its net zero journey.
“The heat decarbonisation plan is such an important part of this ambition.”
Works are currently under way to replace the gas boilers used for heating and hot water at the Civic Offices, in Bridge Street, with air source heat pumps. The ageing and inefficient air-cooling system is also being replaced. Work is also under way on a project to replace the old heating system at the Hexagon Theatre.
Plans to make Bennet Road a net-zero depot are progressing with electric refuse collection vehicles, air source heat pumps, solar panels on the roof of the office building and plans for further solar panels on site.
Notes to editors
Salix’s role is to support the UK government in driving the transition to a low carbon future and meet challenging net zero targets. Salix delivers and administers grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Education and the Scottish and Welsh governments. This is delivered across the public sector as well as housing.
The schemes they deliver provide funding for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects for public sector buildings as well as the housing sector. Schemes are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and supporting the government’s ambitious net zero targets. These programmes include the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant, the Low Carbon Skills Fund and Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund.