Local authority procurement specialist LHC has selected 126 specialist consultants and contractors for its major new public sector retrofit and decarbonisation framework.

Spaning the procurement body’s five regional business units, the framework covers a full range of retrofit services.

Capabilities cover six workstreams of consultancy, multi-disciplinary works, building insulation, low-carbon heating systems, control and management systems, and electrical services, including EV charging and solar PV.

The Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) framework is designed to plug into government and energy company schemes including the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Home Upgrade Grant.

Together, the schemes are worth £1.4bn, with match funding from social housing from local authorities, social housing providers, and charities adding £1.1bn.

The new LHC framework is the first to be designed to implement its new social value strategy with a strong focus on individual well-being, social mobility, and environmental sustainability.

Clive Feeney, group CEO, said that the framework was essential for local authorities and housing associations to meet the UK’s ambitious target of an 81% reduction in emissions by 2035.

“This will demand a huge push on the low carbon retrofit of social homes, and a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions across 1.9m non-domestic public buildings too.”

Recognising the critical shortage of PAS 2030–certified workers, the framework aims to link up local businesses and drive the upskilling connecting firms with local retrofit skills academies and provide the necessary training to meet mandatory retrofit standards within two years.

In addition to the fixed-term framework, LHCPG has launched a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for low-carbon retrofit servicing and maintenance works, allowing companies to apply for participation at any point during the framework lifecycle.

This flexibility ensures firms at the forefront of innovation in retrofitting and decarbonisation can join.