The provision of South West Local Net Zero Hub Programme Evaluation

<p>The Project scope Local Net Zero Hub Programme England The BEIS Local Net Zero programme (previously the Local Energy Programme) supports local authorities and communities in England to play a leading role in decarbonisation and clean growth. The programme was announced in 2017 as part of the Clean Growth Strategy. Funding was provided for the creation and support for five Local Net Zero Hubs (previously known as the Local Net Zero Hubs). The Hubs were established to promote best practice and support local authorities to develop net zero projects up to the point of commercial investment. The original objectives, as set out in the Local Energy Capacity Support Memorandum of Understanding in 2017, are: 1. Increase number, quality and scale of local energy projects being delivered. 2. Raise local awareness of opportunity for and benefits of local energy investment. 3. Enable local areas to attract private and/or public finance for energy projects. 4. Identify working model for teams to be financially self-sustaining after first two years. SouthWest Local Net Zero Hub The?South?West?Local Net Zero Hub (SWNZH)?is one of five Local Net Zero Hubs operational in England. SW Local Net Zero Hub is made up of seven Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs) areas with over 40 Local Authorities of which most have declared Climate Emergencies to attain Net Zero by 2030. The seven LEPs provide the strategic direction and governance for the SWNZH. The Accountable Body for the SWNZH is the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).? ? ? ? The SWNZH engages with a wide range of organisations?to support the identification, development and implementation of energy projects across five regional hubs. The initiative has five core objectives aimed at stimulating local investment in energy projects.?? 1. Increase the number, quality and scale of local energy projects being delivered? 2. Provide regional leadership, raise awareness about local energy investment opportunities and benefits; liaise with BEIS 3. Enable local areas to attract private and/or public finance for energy projects 4. Support and deliver national and local Government schemes 5. Collaboration, co-ordination and sharing of best practice 6. Identify opportunities for income to contribute to core funding Key services and programmes The SWNZH deliver a number of core services and programmes, including: 1. Local Capacity Support &ndash; providing resource support to public sector 2. Rural Community Energy Fund &ndash; grants to community groups 3. Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery &ndash; Housing Retrofit to EPC rated D, E , F &amp; G 4. Public Sector Decarbonisation &ndash; supporting wider public sector to develop net-zero organisational plans and develop investment grade proposals for funding 5. BEIS pilot projects, including Council Tax &amp; Business Rates Pilot, Social Housing Decarbonisation Technical Pilot, COP 26 Zero Carbon Bus Tour and Regional Roadshows</p>