Decision ref
0099 2025/26
Decision date
23/04/2026
Portfolio
Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services
Wards
Town Centre
Title
Public Sector Decarbonisation Phase 4 of the Gamble Institute building and St Helens Town Hall
Summary
This report seeks permission to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to facilitate decarbonisation works on the Gamble Institute building and St Helens Town Hall.
Purpose
This report seeks permission to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to facilitate decarbonisation works on the Gamble Institute building and St Helens Town Hall.
Background
In 2025 St Helens Borough Council (SHBC) were successful in securing £5.815 million of funding through round 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS4), this funding is to be matched £1.123 million of Council Capital Funding secured in the Medium term financial strategy. The programme will be delivered in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), it will be managed by the Environment & Climate Team in consultation with Property Services and the GDP Team. This will enable the Council to deliver a £6.938 million transformative energy efficiency upgrade scheme to five Council Buildings.
Improvements at three of these buildings (Hardshaw Brook Depot, Queens Park Health & Fitness and Chester Lane South Community Hub) will be delivered directly by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and their contractors. Due to the historical importance and the potential opertional impacts, Two of the buildings, St Helens Town Hall and the Gamble Institute will be delivered by St Helens Council and their contractors.
This report sets out the MOU and licenses required to facilitate the works at the Gamble Institute and St Helens Town Hall.
The proposed decarbonisation upgrades will introduce appropriate energy efficiency measures such as air source heat pumps, improved insulation, secondary glazing, enhanced air permeability, and LED lighting, modernising the Council’s estate, reducing energy and maintenance costs, whilst reducing the Council’s carbon footprint.
This ambitious programme is a cornerstone of our Climate Action Plan, delivering an estimated 725 tonnes of carbon savings annually and reducing council emissions by 10%. To secure the PSDS4 grant the Council will provide match funding of £1.123 million, identified within the cocunil's Medium term Financial strategy adpted in February 2026.
This marks a major step towards achieving the Council’s Net Zero by 2040 goal. It is estimated based on current energy costs that the scheme will save £127,655 every year. Based on on energy costs only this demonstrates a 8.8-year payback period on Council investment. The Council also avoids incurring windows, heating systems and lighting replacement costs. Demonstrating that this investment represents a good return on investment.
The two separate MOU's between the LCRCA and SHBC for the Gamble Institute and St Helens Town Hall set out the roles and responsibilities of each party and the key milestones that have been agreed as part of the programme, reflecting the individual challanges posed by each of these comolicated and historic buildings. Importantly the MOU does not override or supersede the financial information letter (Ref. PSDS4/StH) that has already been signed by the Council’s Section 151 Officer, which remains the authoritative statement of financial commitments, liabilities, and responsibilities under PSDS4. A copy of each of the Memorandum of Understanding – Direct Delivery Agreements are attached to this report.
Also attached is the Cabinet report that delegated authority and the capital expenditure business case that supported the case for investment.
Conclusion
The PSDS 4 programme represents a significant funding opportunity to invest in the Council's operational property estate. This investment will reduce carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and demonstrate our commitment to climate leadership. Entering these MOU's is essential to delivering on our Net Zero 2040 ambition and setting a strong example for the wider Borough.
Risk Implications
To manage this cross cutting programme the Director of Operations has been appointed as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and a dedicated PSDS steering group has been formed, this will oversee a comprehensive risk register. Overall programme will be managed and monitored by the climate change manager.
As with all capital programmes, inflation and material availability may pose cost pressures. These risks will be mitigated through a competitive tender process and if required a value engineering process. Any necessary adjustments to the programme will be made by the SRO in consultation with LCRCA and Salix to ensure continued delivery.
There is a risk that the key milestones set out in the MOU could be missed this will be mitigated by robust PSDS Programme management, In relation to the Gamble Institute this will be further mitigated by continued engagement with the Gamble Institute Project Steering group and SRO.
Measures to Redress Risk
Monthly meetings with designated officers from Property, Climate, LCRCA with Director of Operations with a mechanism to feed into DMT quarterly and report progress and concerns.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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