North Herts Council has been awarded over £1.17 million in government funding from Salix Finance to help improve the energy efficiency of some of its most-used buildings - including Hitchin Town Hall, North Herts Museum, the District Council Offices, and the learner pool at North Herts Leisure Centre.

The funding, from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (Phase 4), a government scheme administered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will support work to replace old gas boilers with modern low-carbon alternatives and install energy-saving measures such as secondary glazing, upgraded ventilation, and solar panels.

The council's plans include:

• Replacing gas boilers at Hitchin Town Hall, North Herts Museum, council offices and the learner pool at North Herts Leisure Centre with more efficient air source heat pumps or cleaner electric systems
• Upgrading ventilation, lighting and insulation at key sites. along with installation of solar panels at North Herts Museum

Together, these upgrades are expected to save around 100 tonnes of carbon emissions every year — the equivalent of taking dozens of petrol cars off the road.

The improvements are scheduled to take place during 2026 and 2027, following a detailed planning year in 2025/26. The buildings were prioritised due to their current gas use, ageing heating systems and contribution to the council's overall emissions.

Cllr Mick Debenham, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Leisure, said: "This is great news for North Herts. These improvements will reduce our environmental impact, cut emissions and help us on our path to becoming a net zero council by 2030 — all while futureproofing much-loved community facilities like the museum and swimming pools."

This project supports the council's wider efforts to lead by example on tackling climate change, reduce running costs over time, and invest in the long-term future of public buildings.

Director of public sector decarbonisation at Salix, Ian Rodger said: "The funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will play a significant role to helping North Herts Council reach its 2030 net zero goals.

"These buildings will both reduce carbon emissions and be more energy efficient and also ensure they are future proofed for continued use by the staff and public who work in them and enjoy their facilities."