North Devon Council has been boosted with more than £760,000 of funding to deliver energy efficiency improvements to its buildings.

The council has been awarded £762,065 of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding to decarbonise Ilfracombe's Landmark Theatre, and Brynsworthy Environment Centre.

The funding, delivered by Salix Finance and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will help the council's overall aim to improve the energy efficiency of its assets and reduce carbon emissions to reach its net zero target by 2030. 

Work will include the removal of gas and oil boilers, to be replaced with air source heat pumps. The total value of the scheme is £865,984, with the surplus being funded by the council and Landmark Theatres.

The council is working in partnership with Landmark Theatres to deliver the scheme and is currently working to appoint a consultant to prepare a specification for the programme of works. The project is due for completion by September 2026.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme provides grant funding to public sector organisations to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures in their buildings. The main strategic objective of the scheme, delivered by Salix, is to reduce direct carbon emissions from public sector buildings.

Head of Environmental Enhancement at North Devon Council, Mark Kentell, said: "This funding helps us take a big step towards our ambition of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and creating a clean, greener future for North Devon. Thanks to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme we will be able to improve the energy efficiency of two key buildings, making them more cost effective and fit for the future.

"The Landmark Theatre is a beloved public facility and we are thrilled to be able to drive this project forward in partnership with Landmark Theatres."

Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger, said: “We’re delighted to work with North Devon Council on this ambitious project focused on future-proofing valued community buildings with the aim of making them more energy efficient.

“We have no time to stand still when addressing climate change and these decarbonisation works will reduce the council’s carbon emissions, bringing the council closer to achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2030.

“The project will also benefit the local community, creating buildings that are more comfortable for everyone to enjoy.”

More information about what North Devon Council is doing to combat climate change can be found at northdevon.gov.uk/climate-change