Agenda and minutes

Note: This question was asked on 18/09/2020 but not procressed 

Items
No. Item

1.

Question from: County Councillor Amanda Jenner Subject: Use of Welsh wool to insulate new Local Authority Homes and in upgrades to Council owned properties

 

Question From:

County Councillor Amanda Jenner

Subject:

Use of Welsh wool to insulate new Local Authority Homes and in upgrades to Council owned properties

Question To:

County Councillor Iain McIntosh

Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Housing

 

Question – asked on 18/09/2020 but not processed:

 

Sadly, sheep farmers have faced the collapse of the price of wool. This has been made even worse by the covid-19 pandemic.

 

Will Powys County Council look to use Welsh Wool to insulate new Local Authority Homes and in any other upgrades to Council owned properties?  Not only would this provide an environmental benefit in reducing energy costs, but also help to improve incomes for sheep farmers.

 

Minutes:

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

 

Thank you for question in relation to the use of sheep’s wool as insulation for new council homes.

 

Our new homes have been designed on a site-by-site basis and in line with Powys County Council’s Wood Encouragement Policy. This means we consider wood-based solutions on a fabric first approach and design new homes to maximise the performance of components and materials to make up the fabric itself. Although we have not used sheep’s wool as an insulating solution in any of our current new builds it is something that was considered, unfortunately, the cost of the wool products was more than 50% higher than other products available on the market, making it unviable. Housing will reconsider wool-based products as the product improves and costs are reduced to become more competitive.

 

Housing are currently awaiting updated design and SAP/EPC rating guidance from Welsh Government; this has been delayed as a knock-on effect of the pandemic. Once this updated information has been received the Service will review current new build requirements and the use of materials, based on quality, cost and supply chain. The review would aim to ensure that required energy efficiency ratings are achieved through a fabric first approach.